One of our Main Focus areas for Heidelberg Hope NPC is our Towns Safety. Heidelberg is situated along the notorious N3 Freeway.
The N3 Freeway is a stretch of road where the most hijackings are recorded annually in South Africa. The N3 also provides for easy access to those with criminal intentions to harass the residents of towns situated along this road. Due to the rural location and easy accessibility of our town which fringes Gauteng, many criminals have easy access to Heidelberg to commit their crimes using vehicles.
To improve our ability to prevent and react to vehicle-involved crime, research in our area indicate that we need to install intelligent warning systems that will enable our community patrollers, in collaboration with local security companies and the South African Police Services, to act proactively in the prevention of crime. Figure 5, shows the two pillars of the approach towards our Task in combating crime.
It was decided to implement the SNIPR number plate recognition system in our area. Although there are various systems available, we decided to implement a similar system to the one that is currently in use by most of our neighbouring town. This will improve collaboration amongst the different structures in the area.
As the owner of a business or enterprise in an neighbourhood, precinct or area, we have a keen interest in keeping it safe. While security patrols are beneficial and security personnel imperative, both can only do so much because they do not have the ability to assess a vehicle or its occupants and what their purpose may or may not be – simply put; they are not mind readers.
SNIPR cameras can be installed in high traffic hotspots , and they are able to not only capture an image, but also assess whether it may or may not be a threat, based on historical precedent. If a vehicle has been listed as stolen, or wanted in connection with a crime, SNIPR can then send out an alert to the necessary authorities for action to be taken.
We work closely with you as business owners, companies and local security service providers to address area specific concerns. This coupled with our strong relationship with SAPS and local community patrollers make ours an effective, efficient security solution.
We have identified several positions where we need to install the Automatic Numberplate Recognition Cameras (ANPR) to cover the critical access points to Heidelberg (Figure 6)
Three of the positions have already been installed with funding that was obtained from local community forums and businesses. The communication tower, as indicated on the layout, has also installed and is fully functional. What the community already installed are:
- Three ANPR sites with additional CCTV on each site;
- Communication tower to reduce the dependency on cellphone providers; and
- NVR to record the footage form the additional CCTV.
The community safety forum, SCU, was established and forms part of an extensive neighbourhood watch of approximately 200 active members. This neighbourhood watch works in very close collaboration with the SAPS and local security companies.
All existing equipment has been installed and is being maintained through local suppliers.
Figure 7 IS a typical screenshot from the APNR camera that was installed at the entrance on the R42 from Vereeniging towards Heidelberg. This was our first installation and served as a proof-of-concept that the system will work according to our expectations. Various successful arrests were made based on the information that was received form this specific site, including that of a “blue light gang” on 22 March 2023.
The APNR camera generates and automatic alert through the SNIPR system and does not require constant monitoring. Figure 8, with some confidential information clanked, show what a typical alert looks like. This specific site is near the Heidelberg Golf course on the Groenfontein Road.
It is with great excitement that we look forward to the installation of the remaining four identified sites, with the possibility of a fifth site should the need arise. Our communication and recording
equipment have already been installed to accommodate 11 APNR sites in Heidelberg. Table 1 includes a detail breakdown of the cost per site. The following is worth noting:
- 1 ANPR camera is installed and can cover two road lanes in any direction. At some sites we will have a need for an additional ANPR camera to be installed.
- 2 CCTV cameras (overview cameras) are installed at each site to enable playback of activities that were captured, for example the direction in which a vehicle might have turned at an intersection. This also improves the safety of the equipment at the site.
- Power to the site is supplied through a reliable solar system and will be independent from loadshedding.
- We have obtained several quotations with varying options on the specific solutions required at each site. This estimate represents the best solution based on criteria such as cost, communications, maintenance and reliability.
If you’re struggling to view this table, download it here
Heidelberg Hope NPC is in the process of registering for SARS and will be able to issue a Section 18A certificate to any sponsors or donors.
Our wish to complete at least another four sites, with the possibility of a fifth as soon as funds re available. The total amount required to finalise the project is R796 366.00.
