City's CCTV helps combat crime

The City of Cape Town says its CCTV cameras are a huge contributor to fighting crime.

In a statement, it said Metro Police CCTV control room identified various crime incidents which resulted in at least six suspects being arrested.

PICTURE: Pixabay

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety & Security, JP Smith, said an operator monitoring the CCTV surveillance cameras on Saturday evening, detected a 24-year-old man looking into parked vehicles in Orange Street, CBD next to the Mount Nelson Hotel.

‘’He walked to the corner, gave his bag to a female and walked back to a Maroon Nissan Sabre vehicle where he smashed the window, took a bag and ran in the direction of Hof Street. Law enforcement officers were immediately dispatched, where they arrested the suspect in Hof Street for theft from a motor vehicle. The suspect, aged 24, was detained at Cape Town Central South African Police Service(SAPS),’’ said Smith.

Early on Friday morning, CCTV cameras detected two males, aged 29 and 40, vandalising and trying to remove the metal gates at the entrance of Government Avenue. The Camera Response Unit (CRU) was dispatched from the CCTV control room. Upon arrival, officers managed to apprehend two suspects and found a hammer, a chisel as well as a metal pole in their possession.

‘’During another incident, CCTV cameras at Beach and Church Streets, Sea Point, detected a male suspect preparing what-looked-like illegal substances. Law Enforcement officers reacted and searched the male suspect.  Illegal drugs were found in his possession and the 28-year old was taken to Sea Point SAPS,’’ said Smith.

‘’On Thursday, at approximately 21:40, a CCTV operator detected two males selling suspected illegal substances at Buitengracht Road and Pepper Street, Cape Town. Officers from the CRU were dispatched to investigate. Upon arrival, officers searched the suspects and found Dagga and a full crushed Mandrax tablet, including R 505,00 in cash on one of the suspects. The suspect, aged 33 years, was arrested for possession and dealing in drugs and detained at Cape Town SAPS,’’ added JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety & Security.

Smith said CCTV across the metro are reaping rewards when it comes to detecting crime.

‘’The City's enforcement agencies dealt with a lot of challenges during the past week and the number of successful arrests is testament to the hard work and dedication by our officers to ensure a safer road and community environment. Arrests made with the assistance of our CCTV network once again showed how effective technology can be in fighting crime. Confiscation of drugs by our officers is helping to stop further crime and the destruction of innocent lives. We will continue with crime prevention initiatives throughout the metropole and will work closely with the South African Police Service, communities and Neighbourhood Watches.’’

 

Done by: Mitchum George