Warner Beach South neighbourhood watch made the community safer
Community Chips In to Fight Crime With Camera Network
Warner Beach South, KwaZulu Natal
In Warner Beach South in KwaZulu-Natal, the local neighbourhood watch has used its long standing in the community and its established relationship with local police to encourage businesses to come onboard to support their project to install a network of cameras for improved surveillance in their community.
A network of cameras can enhance security measures by being a deterrent for would-be criminals. It’s also useful for evidence collection if a crime is committed. By working with local businesses, communities’ neighbourhood watches can build better partnerships to achieve the common goal to tackle crime and improve the sense of safety and wellbeing in their neighbourhoods.
What was the problem?
The Warner Beach South community has an established neighbourhood called the Warner Beach South Neighbourhood Watch (WBSNW), established in 2017. In recent years though it has needed to upgrade and improve its security measures. Their aim was to set up a network of security cameras to monitor activity in their neighbourhood and to have record of crimes being committed. This could be critical information for police as well as for residents.
The neighbourhood watch, which currently has 109 members, according to their website, had a street patrol in place, but the problem was that there were not even patrol routes or patrol times. Cameras would offer a better solution but it was also too expensive for the residents to fund by themselves.
How did they fix it?
Chairperson of the neighbourhood watch, Norman Lavery, and deputy chairperson Craig Upton, approached local businesses asking them to donate to their efforts and also to host cameras.
Local businesses recognised the value of the initiative and supported them. In the end they were able to buy 46 cameras and found businesses to host the cameras or to keep a lookout for the cameras so they were not stolen or vandalised. The businesses also provided free wi-fi to ensure real time footage could be transmitted.
Once installed, Lavery and Upton met with the local police, emergency services and other community groups to share the live feeds. It improved response times and allowed the neighbourhood watch to monitor crime trends over time and in different areas.
This community-funded effort includes getting volunteers to monitor the cameras around the clock with each volunteer doing 30 minutes a month of monitoring.
What makes it work
Maintaining an active neighbourhood watch: Being an active group meant they are seen and known in the community. When it came to finding support for the camera project, the WBSNW was already a trusted group in the community, meaning people were more open to contribute or volunteer.
Leaning on local business: Local businesses are able to support with more financial resources. They also play a role in making projects successful. In this case it was to host the cameras and providing free wi-fi.
Working with the authorities: The camera project benefits the police and emergency services by giving them information that can help them in their work.
Building a culture of volunteering: The initiative relies on volunteers to monitor the cameras and report what they see. Keeping this commitment to just 30 minutes a month allows more people to join while not feeling overburdened.
Acknowledgements:
Author: FixLocal Reporter
Additional articles/ sources:
Warner Beach South Neighbourhood Watch keeps an eye on crime
Warner Beach South Neighbourhood Watch
Photograph: WBSNW
Johannesburg
Warning: text comes here
