Community safety hub launched in Portland
Portland residents have clubbed funds together to create a community hub from which they can secure the area, assist with municipal service requests and take back their streets.
Residents Morne Press and Benjamin Rulser, from Giving Back closed-circuit television (CCTV) POD safety and security development, a non-profit organisation, have piloted a programme which they would like to have mimicked in other communities.
A few months ago Mr Press opened his home in Napier Close, Portland, as a CCTV hub for residents, registered neighbourhood watch and safety structures within the community to monitor crime in their area.
“Our infrastructure is being stolen right in front of of us and at the rate we are going, soon there will be nothing left,” he said speaking at the launch of the community funded project last Tuesday, April 30.
Residents donated money which was used to buy cameras, clean the streets and paint parking bays.
For now Portland residents can go to to the house to log municipal service requests, view CCTV footage, submit job applications by joining the City of Cape Town’s job seekers’ database and to print documents. There will also be a commissioner of oaths present to help certify documents.
Last week’s launch was attended by Premier Alan Winde, Mobility MEC Ricardo Mackenzie, mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith and local ward councillors, all from the Democratic Alliance (DA) Mitchell’s Plain who helped fund some equipment.
The duo have been developing their community with social development improvements and last year started a safety CCTV structure.
Mr Press said residents quickly caught on with the initiative and more streets united to make their area safer.
They have been reclaiming open spaces and trying to create a dignified place for children to live in.
“The idea of the Pod is to empower more communities within Mitchell’s Plain to create CCTV hubs for residents, neighbourhood watch and safety structures within our community,” he said.
Mr Press said the safety of children was a priority.
“City officials were very impressed with our presentation and demonstration. We hope that Mitchell’s Plain takes back their communities, one street at a time. Our future generation is depending on us,” he said.
Mr Press said they received a camera from the City and about R6 000 from the Democratic Alliance (DA) Mitchell’s Plain.
DA member of the provincial legislature (MPL) for Mitchell’s Plain, Mr Mackenzie said they donated equipment.
“We believe in supporting initiatives that can help in improving safety in the community,” he said.
