South Africa’s largest privately-owned CCTV network, Vumacam, has partnered with Jozi Trails NPC and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo to make the Braamfontein Spruit a safer place for outdoor enthusiasts using the many trails along the spruit for hiking, running and cycling.
An increased number of incidents in the area have previously put those enjoying the trails at risk. Through Vumacam’s SafeCity initiative, however, a total of 129 live CCTV cameras will now be strategically positioned in and around the Spruit, allowing better oversight and collaboration in preventing, combating, and investigating crime on trails.
The Spruit extends from downtown Braamfontein to Paulshof in the north of Johannesburg and has sadly been targeted by armed criminals over the years. With the installation and activation of SafeCity cameras, however, criminals will be deterred from to operating in the area.
Vumacam CEO, Ricky Croock, explains that the cameras provide “strategic oversight of the area and allow our security partners – 24/7 Security, Beagle Watch, CAP Security and Fidelity ADT – who have agreed to provide monitoring and on-the-ground support, to act swiftly, should an incident or suspected incident take place. This collaboration enables. comprehensive coverage and support to the public. We greatly appreciate these partners’ who volunteered their services and their dedication to ensuring that the public is able to enjoy the outdoors without fearing for their safety.”
André Aiton, Managing Director of Beagle Watch Armed Response says “Beagle Watch Armed Response was not only one of the early pioneers of public space surveillance in Johannesburg several years ago, but remains a leader in the private security industry in this sphere, with access to more than 900 public space CCTV cameras equipped with superior technology covering our extended footprint. Beagle Watch is proud to be part of Vumacam’s SafeCity project as we believe it will allow even more people to enjoy our precious green belt areas and help residents to feel safer in their homes.
“Residents around greenbelt areas and the public who make use of open spaces to walk, run and cycle are unfortunately being targeted by criminal activity. This happens across our footprint, and we believe investing in this initiative will further add to the safety of our clients (and the general public) in the Spruit. Our teams are continually and actively involved in several greenbelt safety and clean-up initiatives, and this is yet another way we give back to the communities we serve.”
David de Lima, the Managing Director of another partner in the initiative, 24/7 Security Services, says: “As a keen mountain biker, I am passionate about safe spaces where residents can enjoy nature. 24/7 Security Services has been part of the Jozi Trails journey for a few years, and we are excited about the SafeCity initiative. We look forward to working with other service providers to make the trails safe and provide communities with the peace of mind they deserve.”
City Parks, which drove the initiative with Jozi Trails, emphasises the importance of making green spaces in Johannesburg safer for law-abiding citizens. Jozi Trails’ Chairperson, Albert van Urk says that “once these poles go live, it will be game-changing for everyone who enjoys the trails.” This initiative is one of many in SafeCity initiatives in Gauteng to tackle and prevent crime in general and ensure that law-abiding citizens can enjoy the outdoors without fear.
