September 13, 2002
By Jonews reporter
NOT a single incident of mugging was recorded in central Johannesburg during the entire
World Summit period, says Business Against Crime Surveillance Technology (Bacst), the
organization responsible for putting surveillance cameras in the city.
Just two years ago, central Johannesburg was considered a no-go area because of the high
levels of violent crime. “Stabbings, shootings and armed robberies were a daily
occurrence,” says Bacst. Along with New York and other cities, Johannesburg was
cited as one of the “crime capitals” of the world. Over the years major
businesses have abandoned the city centre for shopping malls in the surrounding suburbs.
However, recent months have witnessed a return of business investment back into the
inner-city, as part of the Johannesburg Development Agency’s inner-city renewal
projects. The renewed interest in the city has been inspired by the unprecedented success
of the camera surveillance technology.
Bacst managing director John Penberthy says “We were well prepared for the influx of
foreign visitors over the Summit, and although we noticed increased traffic in downtown
Joburg, we only had to deal with a few minor incidents. For example, a bakkie reported
stolen in the city centre was quickly located by our camera network and returned to its
owner within 30 minutes.”
“Much of our efforts now are pre-emptive, like watching over two young foreign lady
visitors who were window-shopping downtown on a Saturday night. They were unaware that our
operators had them covered, and back home they will be singing Johannesburg’s
praises as a safe city. But when it comes to criminals, we are watching out for
them,” adds Penberthy.
With inner-city surveillance network increased to 200 closed-circuit television cameras,
and a further 120 scheduled for inclusion by end of 2002, major crimes have become very
rare. The majority of crimes now being recorded are petty and opportunistic – the
kind of incidents one would find in any major city around the world.
The only criminal incidents recorded during the period of the World Summit were one of
attempted pick-pocketing, one of shoplifting, four incidents of housebreaking and 51
incidents of people smoking dagga.
Bacst works closely with the City of Johannesburg Metro Police Department, the South
African Police Services and other major business enterprises to manage and operate the
inner-city camera surveillance network.
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