The farming community of Kruis-rivier’s decision to turn to technology to be proactive in fighting crime, taking the criminal to task, sparked a first of its kind concerted safety and security effort in Kariega.
Industries, farmers as well as residents in Kruisrivier, which constantly are being targeted by cable thieves and other forms of theft and vandalism, where a vehicle is always involved or possibly stolen, welcomed the decision to have security cameras, operated by the National Vehicle Intelligence Cloud (NAVIC), installed at strategic points.
This proactive decision is also welcomed by SAPS Uitenhage, which operates in conjunction with the Kruisrivier Sector Policing.
“With this state-of-the-art NAVIC technology system, which Kruisrivier industries are willing to assist with covering instalment and operational costs, our community showed their dedication to this project, which can be of huge benefit not only to our community, but the whole of Kariega and beyond,” said Ghia Harbron, chairperson of the Kruisrivier Sector Policing.
“Therefore, we need everyone who feels these cameras will enhance and/or benefit them as individuals or their businesses, to get involved. We especially need financial support to get this project off the ground, which hopefully will be the first of many for Kariega.”
At a recently held meeting at Plumbago Hills, with expert guest speakers in their field of NAVIC like David Phelan from Kouga Security Alliance and Gerrie Ferreira from Ex-cid Electronics, together with SAPS Uitenhage, Kruisrivier residents as well as businesses from the Kruisrivier industrial area, the decision to amplify precautionary procedures by enhancing the scope of preventive security measures by utilising NAVIC was applauded.
“We as SAPS Uitenhage appreciate the initiative that was taken by the Kruisrivier farming community and the business sector immensely, to assist us in our endeavours to effectively deal with crime in the Kruisrivier area. We intent to work hand-in-hand with all role players to ensure that the project will be a huge success,” said Colonel André Swart, acting station commander of SAPS Uitenhage.
NAVIC is a national platform which through its camera network and cloud system captures footage of activities and especially vehicles in its range. An alert will be triggered on the camera by detecting a vehicle that was used in a crime or which was stolen. This alert will be released in real-time to relevant responders like the police or security companies registered with NAVIC.
“Without any doubt this is the way forward and a must for Kariega in the fight against crime. Statistics are proof of its successes and where these cameras are installed, it impacts crime. The artificial intelligence of the system is mind-boggling. Cameras have night vision and can even capture footage of vehicles travelling at high speed,” said Gerrie Ferreira from Ex-cid Electronics in Kariega.
According to Harbron the goal is to install the first camera at the busy Kruisrivier/Groendal and Cape Industrial Road intersection. The second camera will be at Gerald Smith next to the Doornhoek Road entrance towards Kruisrivier and Groendal.
“These cameras will not be of benefit to the Kruisrivier community alone, but to the greater community of Kariega,” said Harbron.
- For more information to join efforts contact chairperson Ghia Harbron at 083 225 8651 or Gerrie Ferreira from Ex-Cid Electronics at 082 783 5375.
