A nerve centre at the heart of 67 hi-tech “eyes” on Parow’s and Bellville’s CBDs goes live next week.
The CCTV and licence-plate recognition (LPR) cameras will be monitored 24/7 from the control centre. The Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District (VRCID) has been working on the R2 million project for the past year.
“Safety and security is but one issue we focus on, but it is our priority. All CCTV cameras have been installed and we are currently finalising the LPR cameras,” said Derek Bock, chief operations officer of the VRCID.
The control room — to be opened officially next week — is in the organisation’s offices in the Bellpark Building, on the corner of De Lange and Teddington streets. The CCTV cameras were tested in June and went operational this month, Mr Bock said.
He said the organisation had had to deal with homelessness, problem buildings, prostitution and more in its six years of existence, and the new control centre would help it to prevent crime.
Bellville police spokesperson, Colonel Fienie Nimb, said the SAPS had a good partnership with the improvement district.
“We have a collaborative arrangement in keeping the area safe. They’re putting up the new CCTV cameras that will be monitored by one of our guys to make sure we combat crime and deter criminals.”