Clarendon Watch battles crime with cameras
The crime-fighting group has decided to install camera surveillance in the area after a spate of thefts on Eastview Road were caught on camera.
AS criminals become more innovative and cunning, authorities and residents have had to use alternative methods to combat crime.
This is no exception for the Clarendon Neighbourhood Watch in Durban North. The crime-fighting group has decided to install camera surveillance in the area after a spate of thefts on Eastview Road were caught on camera. One of these incidents involved the theft of power cables, which left residents stuck without power for several hours on Saturday, 14 March.
The CCTV footage, which captured a brazen duo in the act, indicated that they cut the cables just after 4.15am, and residents reported that power was only restored after 7pm.
One of the criminals could be seen carrying a pair of bolt cutters, moments before his accomplice helped him to nimbly scramble up the electricity pole.
“Three incidents have been captured in the course of a week, which proves the effectiveness of the technology. We are hoping to set up some surveillance cameras at several strategic hotspots to survey the area, similar to ‘nanny cams’, to keep an eye on suspicious activity. The footage could also provide us with some insight into the way the criminals operate,” said Bronwyn Samuels, from the Clarendon Neighbourhood Watch.
Ronald van Rensburg, who specialises in surveillance technology, said an application of the surveillance technology could be accessed by anyone in the area who had been given access. Van Rensburg has agreed to help the watch with the setting up of the systems.
“The residents could easily log into the app from their tablet or smart phone and check on the live footage, or even rewind to older recorded footage, so long as they have been given the password,” he explained.
Samuels added that this technology would eventually not only increase the overall surveillance of the community, but would also decrease the need for patrollers to physically put their lives at risk by patrolling the neighbourhood.
According to Van Rensburg a surveillance system would require a power source, uncapped Wi-Fi and a recorder, and can include two, four or eight cameras.
In addition to the hotspots, residents are also welcome to set up surveillance systems in their homes, or groups of residents could fund camera systems in front of their homes or at an alternative hotspot.
Contact Bronwyn on 083 419 4780 or Denise Masson on 083 779 1238.
