In a bid to ensure residents and visitors alike are safer, Stellenbosch Municipality, this week, launched a short-term safety-and-security programme, the Safety Monitor Initiative (SMI).
Its Protection Services have employed 47 safety monitors that will conduct daily patrols in the CBD areas of both Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
“These extra boots on the ground will act as the eyes and ears of Law Enforcement by reporting incidents immediately, as and when they see them, to the Municipal Control Room,” said municipal spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar. “Residents will be able to identify these accredited Safety Monitors with their yellow reflective vests. Plans are also already in place to increase the number of safety monitors.”
He said all the men and women forming part of the SMI are members of accredited neighbourhood watches within Stellenbosch Municipality (WC024).
It is foreseen that the heightened visibility of the monitors will deter unlawful actions and prevent criminal activity.
A further 11 people have been assigned to the Community Services department specifically to patrol nature reserves and areas as field rangers.
“The field rangers will combat illegal entry, illegal dumping, the illegal poaching of wood and any other suspicious or illegal activity. They will be in constant radio contact with the Municipal Control Room to report illegal activity when detected.”
In addition, 12 people have been deployed to the Municipal Control Room where they will assist with the monitoring of CCTV cameras. “The monitoring of CCTV cameras is one of many functions of our existing control-room operators. The additional staff will assist greatly in ensuring effective monitoring of all screens, making it easier for staff to identify any suspicious activity and alert Law Enforcement, police and other security agencies timeously.”
Grobbelaar says although crime prevention and policing are not municipal functions, Stellenbosch Municipality is continuously making resources available for safety initiatives such as these to ensure an environment is created that is safer for all who live and visit the municipal area.
