GarsCom opens control room to further fight crime
The control room is manned by three operators that monitor more than 27 security cameras in the area 24/7.
In an effort to further fight crime and safeguard the community, GarsCom, a Garsfontein neighbourhood watch, launched a control room.
This control room is designed to enhance efforts to deter crime and ensure a safer, more secure area for all residents.
It was launched on Saturday (July 13), marking yet another milestone in the relentless battle locals have waged against crime in the area.
GarsCom is in the vicinity of Solomon Mahlangu Drive, northwest of Woodlands and south of Atterbury Road.
Chairperson Carol van Niekerk said the control room is the heart of the organisation’s crime-fighting strategy.
“The control room is manned by three operators monitoring more than 27 security cameras full-time.”
She said the GarsCom control room receives calls from the community about crime and then sends patrollers to investigate further.
“We are not alarm-based response but act on the information received and suspicious movements or activities flagged on the security cameras.”
Van Niekerk said the control room assists in calling armed security response, police, ambulance and firefighting services. It even helps to distribute water in times of water restrictions, helps with service delivery issues and reports it to the municipality.
She said GarsCom is a non-profit community organisation that has been working in the east of Pretoria for almost 30 years to fight crime.
“GarsCom works on a model of pro-active security, to work with one security company to patrol the streets every hour and every day,” Van Niekerk said.
She said the community of Garsfontein Ext 10 and 11 built this control room, which is in constant contact with the two dedicated security cars.
“In this way, GarsCom has kept crime in the area very low in a cost-effective way.”
She said GarsCom works closely with the police, metro police, other community organisations and other security companies.
“The fight against crime is not an isolated one hence more hands are needed on deck.”
She said the community came together to launch the control room.
“The atmosphere was cheerful, and grateful as the community came together to celebrate their own initiatives and hard work. This will help keep the community safe.”
She said housebreakings in the area have dropped and that’s a great move.
“We haven’t received a case of housebreaking in a while now, but the crime that is still prevalent is theft-out-of motor vehicles.”
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
