Big brother is watching you and he has a very loud voice! This is the message after CCTV and speakers were installed in Durban.
|||Durban - Criminals beware - big brother is watching you and he has a very loud voice!
That is the stern warning to criminals operating in the Durban CBD after loudspeakers were mounted next to CCTV cameras in the city.
The nine speakers have given control-room operators a “much needed” voice, said Charles Khumalo, acting manager for the department.
The loudhailers have been installed as the city is welcoming tourists to a host of sporting and musical events over the next six weeks.
There are more than 200 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in Durban that operate 24 hours a day. Usually the cameras are tended by 12 operators, but manpower is boosted during the festive season.
While there are no official figures, operators said they had already noted a marked decrease in crime, especially in smash-and grab incidents since the speakers were installed.
“There used to be smash-and-grab incidents at the Brook and Dr Pixley KaSeme intersection at least every two hours,” said Khumalo.
Since the installation these incidents have decreased dramatically.
The city is now looking at rolling out more speakers. Plans are also afoot to put up CCTV cameras in suburban areas, including the crime-riddled outer west area.
“Isipingo cameras should be ready any time,” said Khumalo, adding that the city wants cameras in as many places as possible.
“They help reduce crime, enforce bylaws, ensure public safety and also assist in the smooth flow of traffic,” he said.
The current speakers were mounted in spots that are notorious for car theft, drug trafficking and brawls, which often ended in serious injuries.
Khumalo said it was frustrating for operators to witness a crime and not be able to do anything, saying the speakers allowed the operators to react quickly if someone is spotted breaking the law.
Before when operators noticed any criminal activity, they would immediately alert metro police or the SAPS – a process that was sometimes time consuming, enabling the criminals to flee.
Mentioning bag-snatching incidents that used to occur near the Pirates Lifesaving Club, Khumalo said criminals would often lurk around the dunes near Suncoast Casino. “Our operators would see them creeping up on unsuspecting holiday-makers and by the time they alerted the police on radio the criminals would have already carried out the mugging,” he said.
Several criminal incidents have already been prevented by operators who – with their commanding voices – warn would-be criminals.
After the tongue lashing, the startled would-be criminals either apologise or flee.
Where the speakers are:
- Dorothy Nyembe (Gardiner) and Dr Pixley KaSeme (West) Street
- Samora Machel (Aliwal) and Anton Lembede (Smith) Street
- Masabalala Yengwa (NMR) Avenue and Isaiah Ntshangase (Walter Gilbert) Road
- Medwood Gardens and Dr Pixley KaSeme Street
- Battery Beach and Masabalala Yengwa
- Pirates Lifesaving Clubl Ushaka
- South Beach pools
- Oasis Beach
Independent on Saturday