Randpark camera project to stop crime before it happens

RANDPARK – A sophisticated network of security cameras will be installed to help curb crime in the area.

Claude Nortje and John Browne of the Randpark Residents Association, with Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood and Pieter van der Linde of Acquired Business Solutions.

The Randpark Residents Association will be embarking on a project to install a sophisticated network of security cameras to help curb crime in the area.

The association has been trying for many years to get security in the area to a proactive level.

A Randpark Residents Association information sign welcomes visitors to the area.

Chairperson of the Randpark Residents Association Claude Nortje said, “This technology will offer a completely different dynamic to our security. We will not have only purely a ‘reactive’ security solution such as patrol vehicles, but a proactive one capable of spotting the crimes before and as they are happening.”

The project has been funded by the residents association.

“We have been tracking our crime rate in the area for a number of years and we work closely with Linden Police Station. What I can say is that in our area we have about three incidents per month, which serves as a dire need for these cameras,” Nortje continued.

Pieter van der Linde of Acquired Business Solutions, the company who will be installing the system added, “The amazing thing about the system that we utilise is that it is an open platform, meaning that it allows us to connect multiple technologies into one source. We use analytics to actively monitor the cameras.”

With a variety of different cameras, including wide angle, long distance and vehicle number plate tracking cameras, the system aims to curb crime before it happens.

Current security solutions implemented by the Randpark Residents Association include these boom gates on Cherry Drive to control access to the area.

All cameras are monitored 24/7 in a central control room and are connected through the fibre lines in the area.

Vice-chairperson of the residents association John Browne said, “What is amazing is that the camera monitoring is done by a separate company. This means that there are three teams, including the camera operators, monitoring and patrolling security companies, all working together to curb crime.”

Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood added, “I think that this is definitely something that other communities in the area should consider. If you look at the recent crime stats, we are fighting a huge battle against crime. I welcome initiatives like this by our local residents’ associations to take back their communities and assist the police in their fight against crime.”