This was a 108% increase compared to the same period the previous year, when 3 524 incidents were detected. 

Among the reasons for the increase are the installation of additional cameras in areas like Bishop Lavis, Delft, Nyanga, Mitchell’s Plain and Kraaifontein; and the introduction of satellite CCTV control rooms in Retreat, Ocean View and Grassy Park, with local Neighbourhood Watch (NW) members monitoring the cameras for quick responses to detections by NW groups, SAPS and City enforcement agencies.

‘Apart from the growing camera network, our SSU has put in a lot of work to extract more value from its camera network. Thanks to improved information sharing with local police stations, our CCTV operators can do more effective monitoring in the right areas, and at the right times. We’ve also introduced refresher training for operators, and deployed experienced enforcement staff to the control rooms to help guide operators, and we have implemented improved work flows around the dispatching of units to an incident, using our integrated Emergency Policing Incident Command (EPIC) platform. As we fine-tune these processes in the coming months, it is expected that the arrest rate too will increase,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The SSU has grown its CCTV infrastructure to more than 1 100 installations.

In one of the most recent projects, a dozen cameras have been installed at various points along Baden Powell Drive, to the value of R4,2 million, and will go live in due course.

During the 2022/2023 financial year, new installations, valued at over R33 million, included five sites in Harare, Khayelitsha, with 15 cameras; as well as installations in Hanover Park, Manenberg, Mitchell’s Plain, Ocean View, Lotus Park, Parow and Goodwood, with added surveillance to the infrastructure of both Nolungile and Nonqubela stations.

The roll out of cameras will continue during this financial year 2023/2024 in the five identified areas which require CCTV in order to reduce public area crimes. These areas are Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Delft, Nyanga and Kraaifontein.

The locations for the installations were picked in consultation with the SAPS.

‘The expansion of our CCTV network and investment in other technologies is but one aspect. The other, more critical aspect is ensuring that these tools are utilised effectively. So we are also working on expanding digital evidence gathering, storage and analytics into the future, and integrating systems and information not just across departments within the City, but external agencies too. The ideal would be to seamlessly share resources and information as we work towards a common goal of increased safety in our city,’ said Alderman Smith.