Tech to help cops catch criminals

The Tshwane metro police, SA Police Service and the City Improvement District (CID) have reportedly joined forces to fight crime in the capital city.

According to the Centurion Rekord, the three organisations will monitor 319 CCTV cameras in various parts of the city in an effort to catch criminals in the act.

Metro police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said the CCTV cameras were located in Pretoria East, Arcadia, Brooklyn, Garsfontein, Centurion, Lyttelton, Marabastad, Doornkloof, Monument Park, Silver Lakes, Lynnwood, Solomon Mahlangu, Wilgers and Menlyn.

He said the cameras were operated by the service provider Morubisi Technologies, which reported crime to all three organisations as it happened.

“When the operators spot a crime, they pass on the information,” Mahamba said.

“They provide a clear description of the suspects, what they are driving, the location and the crime committed.”

Mahamba said one response team would head to the scene and another would give chase after an incident was reported.

He advised victims of smashand-grab and theft crimes to report those matters immediately, and then head to the Morubisi Technologies control room in the central business district with the investigating officer within seven days to see if any of the hidden cameras captured the incident.

According to Mahamba, the following were smash and grab hot spots:

Nelson Mandela Drive (during the day and at night)

Roger Dyason and Eeufees roads (at night)

Es’kia Mphahlele Drive and Boom Street (during the day)

Es’kia Mphahlele Drive and Bloed Street (during the day)

Es’kia Mphahlele Drive and Struben Street (during the day)

Es’kia Mphahlele Drive and Vom Hagen Street (during the day).

His tips for avoiding smashand-grabs or break-in crime included:

Do not leave visible expensive items in your car; always take them with when you leave

Never leave your cellphone, handbag or laptop bag on the front seat when driving

Ensure all your doors are physically locked, never rely your remote alone because suspects may jam it.

CID’s Joshua Ngonyama said thieves pretended to be car guards only to break into motorists vehicles once they left.

“We want to partner with the Tshwane Chamber of Commerce to screen all these car guards for criminal records,” he said.

Ngonyama said despite the lack of resources, the City Improvement District was doing its best to address crime through the partnership with the SA Police Service and metro police. – Caxton News Service