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The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a new crime fighting initiative to strengthen its efforts in fighting crime in cities.
The integrated safer cities concept is the first of its kind to be implemented in any city in South Africa.
The National Safer City Concept is also being tested in other identified cities with the goal of law enforcement agencies integrating and maximizing technology to combat crime more effectively.
This platform sees the introduction of the first fusion center of its kind. Its purpose is to maintain and establish a platform for the exchange of information through a collaborative approach among stakeholders through evidence-based information.
In addition, it aims to give a better response to coordinated planning to face any eventuality.
Using state-of-the-art technology, the fusion center enables the integration of stakeholders from various disciplines, systems and software, along with extensive research and development.
The integrated approach is part of the national crime prevention strategy that seeks to present a model for security planning through the integration of resources from all stakeholders, including SAPS and the leading department, the security departments of the local and metropolitan municipality, registered private security companies and the community. security structures run by community policing forums.
This concept is not only focused on the inner city and suburbs of cities, but also on municipalities and rural communities through the Rural Security Strategy, the Traditional Crime Prevention Program with the introduction of the community mounted police, as well as the upcoming Royal Reserve Police. .
The launch of this innovative program was officiated by Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale in Inanda, Durban.
According to crime statistics, Inanda recorded a high rate of reported cases of sexual crimes.
The launch of the program in an area like this seeks to stop the alarming levels of crime through collaboration with key players.
“A safe city is where a young woman can walk alone at night, without fear of being harassed, raped or hurt in any way. This is the goal for which this administration works tirelessly.
“Along with our efforts to reduce violent crime by at least half in the next decade,” said Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale.
The Safer City initiative has been prioritized as one of the critical government interventions that will greatly contribute to the country’s economic growth.
It is one of the prevention approaches for 19 post-Covid crimes with the aim of creating a crime-free city or district and, in general, a country free of crime and violence.
“The local government arena is the pinnacle where development and innovation take place. People’s aspirations for a better life are centered on the concept of local government.
“This sphere of government can optimally disburse its resources to the intended beneficiaries when the rule of law is respected. For this concept to work, all responsible government departments must actively participate in its operations, providing and distributing resources for their survival. The provision of safety and security in cities is one of the catalysts for their survival, ”said SAPS National Commissioner General Khehla Sitole.
MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison at KZN, Bheki Ntuli, said the success of the center lies with the stakeholders involved.
“Each official has an interest in the development and exchange of information and intelligence and should act as an ambassador to support and promote this initiative. It is our responsibility to implement and comply with the Fusion Center Guidelines.
“The guidelines are a milestone in achieving a unified force among all levels of law enforcement agencies. Fusion Center brings together all relevant partners to maximize the ability to prevent and respond to terrorism and criminal acts.
“By adopting this concept, these entities will be able to effectively and efficiently safeguard our communities and maximize the effort against crime,” said Ntuli on behalf of the KZN government.
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said that, in preparation for this program, the city launched community safety forums and local drug action committees whose main mandate is to build trust and strengthen relationships between communities and law enforcement agencies.
“Our goal is to ensure safety in our communities to attract investment. It would be extremely difficult to attract tourists to an area like Inanda if it continues to be a hotspot for serious crimes like sex crimes and murder, ”he said.
The South African Police Service hopes that the existence of the center will provide an opportunity for all key stakeholders to come together with a common purpose to maximize and enhance the capacity to safeguard communities and prevent criminal activity in cities.
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