Crime priority for new Sapphire Coast tourism

“From a tourism perspective, we need to protect our assets and ensure our visitors enjoy a safe and pleasurable experience,” said SCTT chairman, Jacques van Schalkwyk.

“One of the problems we face is that when a crime is committed, seven out of 10 victims don’t report it, which affects the resources supplied to us, among other things.

We aren’t a crime-fighting organisation and we are not trying to be. Those doing it in this town are doing an outstanding job with the resources they have.

The problem is crime is affecting us. From a harassing beggar to a more serious bag-snatcher, car thief, drug dealer, prostitute, mugger or murderer, these are the crimes that affect tourism and these are the things we need to sort out.”

The SCTT will engage with local crime-fighting organisations to combat crime in the targeted ‘crime free zone’ and encourage businesses to get involved and fund this project to make a difference. This will be marketed as the orange zone.

“Tony Locker of ET South Coast has already offered assistance. Our aim is to set up a camera surveillance system that will have the software capabilities for license plate recognition, as well as add additional areas onto the network as the funding provides.”

These static and PTZ (roaming) cameras will be situated at all entrance points, the promenaade and beaches within the areas from the Splashworld and Spur car park to Link Road and Rogies Park. This will be zone 1.

“We would like permanent guards in a guard tower with boom gates at each end. We would like to set up a site office at Rogies Park with a four-wheeler on standby for beach monitoring. There will be lights and cameras on the promenade and lights facing the beach.”

Zone 2 will complete Beach Road to the south, Toti Lagoon and Rosslyn Road up to Kingsway. It will then cover Kingsway north and join up with Inyoni Rocks Road. Guard towers would then be moved to these areas.

Zone 3 will complete Beach Road to the north and the Pipeline area.
All body corporates, businesses, holiday rentals, residential or any other interested parties within these zones are encouraged to email Jacques on chairman@totitourism.co.za.

“Under this same crime-fighting initiative, we would like to encourage citizens within their areas to engage with their neighbours, and call a meeting to form a committee. Know your neighbour. These small committees will be able to make a difference in our community.”

All NGOs, NPOs, schools, churches, sports bodies, forums, committees, conservancies, clubs and groups are asked to also make contact with Jacques.