Mobile CCTV to monitor crime in Westville
The municipality has heeded the call of Westville residents and has set up a mobile closed circuit Television (CCTV) command and control centre, to monitor crime in the area.
ETHEKWINI deputy mayor, Fawzia Peer has fulfilled her promise to set up a mobile closed circuit television (CCTV) command and control centre in the Westville area. This comes after a community meeting which was held at the Truro Hall on Monday evening, 23 January. The control centre was installed at the corner of Rodger Sishi and Dunkeld roads in Westville, next to the Caltex garage.
Owner of the Atholl Heights Caltex garage, Santosh Pardhootman who also owns the premises where the mobile CCTV has been erected, said he was more than happy to help when the municipality approached him.
“There has been an increase in crime in Westville and surrounding areas especially in Westville North. I think everyone needs to come on board and work with the police to fight criminals in this area,” he said.
The 24-hour patrol includes mobile CCTV stations, motorised patrol cars, motorcycles and the dog and equestrian units. Pardhootman said this is a positive initiative in the Westville area and they have noticed an increase in police presence. Cst Mduduzi Khumalo from the Metro police said the mobile CCTV is for the residents and they should feel free to use it services.
“Residents can come and report crime and we are also pleading with neighbourhood watches to work hand in hand with us so that we can win this fight,” he said.
The head of Emergency Control and Disaster Management unit, Vincent Ngubane said a team consisting of two operators, a technician and members of Metro police have been deployed in the area.
“There has been a spate of contact crimes in the Westville area. The mobile CCTV camera will not only help to combat crime, but will help to monitor traffic congestion in the area as well. This mobile CCTV camera is also linked to our main control room in Jeff Taylor Crescent. It will make it easy for our operators there to link up with the Metro police, the SAPS and fire department whenever the need arises,” said Ngubane.
Led by the deputy mayor, a task team that includes the community policing forum, the municipality, representatives from the province and residents will report back to the community about what has been done to combat crime in the area.
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