Update On Our CCTV Camera Network

Crime is a sombre reality in South Africa that costs us dearly. Emotionally, living in fear drains us and financially, unplanned expenses due to theft can leave us grasping at straws. To do our part in creating a safer space for us all to share we are expanding and upgrading the CCTV camera network in the Beaconvale Improvement District (BVID). 

The expansion supports our other public safety and urban management activities by sustainably decreasing criminal activity. 

In conjunction with the City of Cape Town, The SAPS, Neighbourhood Watch groups, local businesses and private individuals, we are a pivotal member of a public safety network with cameras that have eyesight over the critical locations of our CID. Allowing us to see the entire  BVID and intervene in all types of crimes to make our community safer.

Organized criminal activity targeting theft and vandalism of electrical components cost Eskom an estimated R69 000 000 in the last 18 months alone according to CEO  Andre de Ruyter. The damages to local businesses caused by interrupted power are incalculable, especially in mixed-use and industrial areas like the BVID. 

The Beaconvale Improvement District’s road and communications infrastructure is also being crippled by vandalism and robbery, resulting in key road intersections, cell phone towers, and fibre networks being rendered inoperable. 

By expanding our CCTV surveillance we hope to be a significant contributor to creating a collaborative city-wide surveillance system that will prevent, identify, and neutralise criminal activity in real-time. We also know that our systems will help lawyers bring more criminals to justice and alleviate some of the load on our judicial system as they make the conviction process clearer and quicker. 

Our network is so effective due to our multifaceted approach to both the camera hardware and the data management of the surveillance systems. Our cameras are monitored on a 24/7 basis by a centralised control centre meaning we can track and stop criminal activity across districts in real-time. 

Our Cameras 

We use three types of cameras, some with infrared capabilities to see even in the dark.

Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) cameras – These can be rotated by our trained operators to track people acting suspiciously even after they think they have walked out of frame.

Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras – These are static cameras reading licence plates of vehicles.  The CID belongs to a recognised, well-organised user group that holds a database of suspicious vehicles.  Our LPR software generates alerts when such vehicles enter our Improvement District and place us on high alert.  Should the occupants act suspiciously we have the option of alerting the local SAPS sector patrol vehicles.

Static cameras – enabled with artificial intelligence functionality – These are static cameras and can be focused on hotspots or boundary areas such as fences.  The cameras detect the movement of vehicles and people and alert our control room and patrol vehicles of such activity.

 Our Data Management

Our Artificial Intelligence Cameras and Software detects even the slightest movements which help our personnel see potentially hidden persons and suspicious activities.

Video Analytics can be used to interpret, study and project criminal behavioural patterns which help us aid the SAPS to bring down the syndicates that are disrupting our peace.

Landlords, business owners and residents of the Beaconvale Improvement District can expect: 

• A continued effort to decrease crime. 
• Targeted intervention by our public safety teams
• Improved response time
• 24/7 monitoring by our control room.
• Foot and vehicle patrol teams, law enforcement officers and police equipped with essential live information to improve arrest rates. 
• Prevention of more incidents due to the improved directing of resources. 
• Reduced false reporting of incidents due to our ability to validate the claim instantly.
• Progress on creating a Unified City-Wide Public Safety Network.

We are improving our public safety plan by: 

• Surveying the entire BVID to identify vulnerable points to inform the next extension of our CCTV network. 
• Targeting public safety efforts on infrastructure crime to safeguard the continuous supply of energy, water, sanitation, communication infrastructure and access to transportation.
• Implementing mechanisms to alert our management and public safety teams to early warning signs of threats so that the distribution of our safety resources can be optimised.  

The manufacturing, education, property, hospitality and public transport industries form the backbone of our community’s livelihoods. Ultimately, our goal is to protect the people and the resources of the institutions they serve within the Beaconvale Improvement District.  

Our sophisticated CCTV cameras use the latest technological advancements so we can streamline our prevention and intervention efforts and help bring criminals to justice.

With your help and investment, we step closer to a safer South Africa every day. And so many of you already do remarkable work in the BVID. We would love to hear your #GoodNews and how you are making our area a better place. 

To share your story with us and stand a chance to be featured in one of our future newsletters email us at media@geocentric.co.za.

If you have any safety concerns to report, please contact one of the following numbers:

·       10111 – SAPS (South African Police Services)

·        107 – City of Cape Town Disaster Management

·        021 565 0900 – Geocentric Control Room 

The Beaconvale Improvement District NPC (BVID) will be hosting an AGM. All stakeholders are invited to a review of the year’s activities and planning for 2021/22.

Date: 29 October 2020
Time: 15h00
Venue: FI Group, Unit A1, Connaught Park, McGregor Street, Beaconvale, 7500

Resolutions presented at the Members meeting can only be voted on by bona fide members of the BVID (Membership List). This membership is available free of charge to all owners of non-residential property within the BVID footprint, but they must be registered before 22 October 2020.

Please confirm your attendance by email to info@beaconvalecid.co.za to help us with seating arrangements. Due to current regulations the seating at the venue is limited and your response is important to reserve a seat.

DUE TO THE COVID-19 REGULATIONS ON PUBLIC MEETINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO URGE MEMBERS TO RESPOND AND BOOK YOUR SEAT FOR THE AGM.
IF A MEMBER CANNOT ATTEND THE AGM WE URGE YOU TO USE THE PROXY FORM AVAILABLE ON THE BEACONVALE ID WEBSITE – AGM PAGE TO PROVIDE FOR A REPRESENTATIVE OR MANDATE THE CHAIRPERSON BY PROXY TO REPRESENT YOU AS A MEMBER
WE NEED TO ENSURE WE HAVE A QUORUM FOR THE AGM

Please confirm your attendance / non-attendance by email to info@beaconvalecid.co.za

▪ Attendees need to print their own documents as prints will not be available at the meeting.
▪ The Minutes of the previous meeting, Annual Financial Statement will be displayed but not handled by attendees.
▪ All persons must have their hands sanitised on entering the venue.
▪ All attendees to wear a mask.
▪ Attendees must adhere to social distancing requirements during the meeting and if possible have one open chair between attendees.
▪ All attendees to bring their own pen for signing of the attendance register.

For further information, documentation and how to register go to www.beaconvalecid.co.za or e-mail info@beaconvalecid.co.za or call 021 565 0901

At the start of lock down, the City of Cape Town engaged businesses across the City on the impact that the lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic was having on their businesses.  The inputs from that survey have been used to inform the City’s response to business support in the pandemic.  The economy is now gradually re-opening and people are returning to work.  This is not without its challenges.  In order to continue to support businesses in this time, we are undertaking another survey.

The purpose of this survey is to gather information to determine the impact of the current COVID-19 virus pandemic on businesses operating in the Cape Town/Western Cape region with the aim of directing those in distress to suitable institutions for assistance.  We would appreciate it if you could take ten minutes to complete the survey which can be found at the following web link:

https://forms.gle/pXe43oKALLH22sz37

The City of Cape Town will continue to support businesses in distress as we seek to minimize the economic impact of the pandemic.  Two useful online resources that can assist business returning to work and looking for government and private sector support can be found at:

•  Return2work initiative: templates, processes and requirements for businesses bring staff back into the workplace –  https://www.return2work.co.za/

•           CO​VID-19 Support Finder: assistance with identification of targeted support measures for business depending on their size and sector – https://supportbusiness.co.za/covid-19-support-finder/

If you have any queries regarding the survey or your business requires assistance please contact:

Gerschwin Williams   Head: Investment Facilitation Unit (Atlantis) Gerschwin.Williams@capetown.gov.za Cell – 078 6733 997

Makeya Karlie   Professional Officer: Investment Facilitation Unit (Atlantis) Makeya.Karlie@capetown.gov.za Cell – 079 518 0406

Winston Richards   Professional Officer: Investment Facilitation Unit (Atlantis) Winston.Richards@capetown.gov.za Cell – 072 902 1691

Strict regulations in place

Those on the road will be required to produce a permit and proof of identification to law enforcement officers

27 March 2020 – Cape Argus – BALDWIN NDABA AND MWANGI GITHAHU

ESSENTIAL services workers who will be allowed to report for work during the 21-day nationwide lockdown will do so under strict regulations.
Yesterday police emphasised that all people classified as essential workers would have to adhere to the regulations gazetted by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Wednesday.
Each worker will be expected to carry a permit which they will have to present to law enforcement agencies during the execution of the lockdown.
According to the permit, under Regulation 118(3), “the person to whom this permit is issued must at all times present a form of identification to be presented together with this permit. If no identification is presented, the person to whom the permit is issued will have to return to his or her place of residence during the lockdown”.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula also announced that minibus taxis, metered taxis and e-hailing services would be limited to the public during the lockdown.
He said only staff rendering essential services and those out for essential purposes, such as buying groceries or going to work, would be allowed to leave home.
Taxis will only be allowed to transport people for these essential trips from 5am to 9am and 4pm to 8pm.
A vehicle licensed to carry up to four people will only be permitted to load one passenger. A vehicle licensed to carry up to eight passengers will only be permitted to load a maximum of three people.
Buses will also have limited operations – only transporting essential services workers and people making necessary trips.
Police Minister Bheki Cele also issued a warning to those who might want to transgress the regulations, saying law enforcement officers would act against them.
Gatherings would be banned, except for funerals, which could be attended by only 50 people or less.
Movement between provinces, metros and district areas would also be banned and roadblocks on the community, provincial and national roads would be conducted, to enforce this with health screenings to ensure movement was restricted.
With the SANDF possibly aiding the SAPS to police the lockdown, military sociologist Professor Lindy Heinecken of Stellenbosch University said sending in the army once again placed the military in a situation it might not be adequately prepared for.
“With just 10 companies (roughly 1400 soldiers), which implies less than 400 boots on the ground at any one time to allow for rotation, one wonders how much support they can render,” said Heinecken.
Meanwhile, Premier Alan Winde said staying home was the only way to save lives.
“I know what we are asking for is difficult, and it is scary, but we have overcome many, many challenges as a country. We can do it again, together. If we all do this, we will be able to go back to our lives again and start to rebuild our economy.
“If we do not, and the virus continues to spread, many people will die and the lockdown may be extended. So now is the time. We can do this together. Let us be strong now for each other,” said Winde.
He underlined that the lockdown meant: “You will be required to stay in your home unless it is to go and buy groceries, go to the pharmacy or to seek medical attention.”
He said that as of 9am yesterday morning, “the province had confirmed 181 positive cases of Covid-19. Three residents are currently in hospital as a result of this virus.”
Winde said they had put measures in place to assist victims of violence.
“Rendering services to victims of crime and violence is an essential service. The Western Cape Department of Social Development and civil society organisations will continue to provide these services through provision of shelters and psycho-social support.”
Winde said four shelters had been identified as Stage 1 shelters to admit at-risk victims of crime and violence.
“Only referrals from a social worker with safety risk assessment and SAPS referral will be accepted.
“After the initial 14 days, clients will be transferred from a Stage 1 shelter to a Stage 2 shelter with the assistance of the SAPS,” said Winde.
He said the Department of Health would assist with medical screening and the medical needs of clients.

Apply for a new bin

The registered property owner or property managing agent must download and fill in the Supply of Services Application Form (English | Afrikaans | isiXhosa). Please ensure that you fill in all the sections related to refuse removal.

If you are renting, you will need to submit a letter of authority from the property owner or managing agent with your application form.

Click Here to guide.

Replace a stolen or damaged bin

If your bin has been stolen, you will need to report the theft of your bin at the nearest SAPS office to obtain an affidavit.

Click Here to guide.

• From Saturday 1 December 2018, water restrictions and the associated tariffs will be lowered from Level 5 to Level 3 recovery restrictions, which includes increasing the daily usage from 70 litres per person per day to 105 litres per person per day; or from 500 million litres to 650 million litres of collective usage per day
• Tariffs will also be lowered to Level 3. If for example residents use less than 6 000 litres per month (Step 1) they can expect to pay 35,5% less
• This decision follows on from the National Department of Water and Sanitation’s latest water assessment
• Restrictions remain on a fairly strict recovery level as a precaution to deal with rainfall uncertainty in 2019 and 2020
• We encourage Cape Town’s water ambassadors to maintain their water-wise approach during the recovery phase and as the metro moves towards becoming a more water-sensitive city in the near future
• The 40% restriction on water usage applicable to businesses has been removed but the sector is strongly encouraged to continue implementing and investigating the further efficient use of water in their operations

 

The City of Cape Town’s water users can expect a considerable reduction in the cost of water to be reflected in their municipal invoices from next month. This is due to the lowering of water restrictions from Level 5 to Level 3 recovery restrictions from Saturday 1 December 2018.

 

The City views 2019 as a recovery year after having successfully emerged from the unprecedented drought.

 

This decision to lower restrictions comes after a meeting between the National Department of Water and Sanitation and the water users of the Western Cape Water Supply System, namely the agricultural sector, Western Cape Government, municipalities and the Cape Town metro regarding the water assessment for the year ahead.

 

Based on National Government’s assessment of the hydrological year, a saving of between 10% and 20% for urban water users has been proposed. However, the City has decided to implement a more cautious 30% saving to help with the recovery of the dams and to cater for the uncertainty that exists around rainfall volumes and frequency in 2019.

 

‘I want to thank all the residents, officials, and visitors to Cape Town who played their part in helping us get through one of the worst droughts this city has ever seen. While the drought is not yet over, we have seen that there is room to bring some relief to our residents. I know it has been tough and I hope that this reduction in tariffs will bring some comfort over the festive season. We will still need to be water-wise though, as we do not know what the next rainy season holds.

 

‘We are no longer in a period of extreme scarcity, but it does not mean that we should forego some of the great water-wise ways that we have made a part of our daily lives – and for which we have become world famous. We are situated in a water-scarce region and the water-wise efforts and ways to diversify and augment our water supply should and will continue.

 

‘If one looks at international drought experience, water restrictions are either implemented too late or lifted too early. Hence our decision to take a conservative approach to the recovery while we continue to monitor the situation,’ said the City’s Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato.

 

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services; and Energy, Councillor Xanthea Limberg added: ‘We see 2019 as a recovery year after having successfully emerged from the severe and unprecedented drought. Based on our own assessment, we are following a conservative approach in the light of rainfall uncertainty over the coming two years. These Level 3 recovery restrictions are also a measure to help support the great change we have seen in the relationship that we have with water while, at the same time, providing some financial relief to residents and businesses. This is not only a period of recovery for our dams, but also for our economy as a whole as well as for our residents and businesses who truly made huge sacrifices to help us get Cape Town through the drought.’

 

Due to the extreme economic and rural hardship that has been suffered as a result of the drought, the agricultural sector will only reduce water usage by 10% as it too enters a period of recovery. The City fully supports this move as the agricultural sector also supported the City as an urban water user during the height of the drought.

 

Please see the following links for information on:

• Level 3 restriction guidelines: http://bit.do/L3-guide
• Level 3 water and sanitation tariffs: http://bit.do/L3-tariffs
• Level 3 overview: http://bit.do/L3-overview
• Level 3 FAQs: http://bit.do/L3-faqs

DMI Guideline Series – A5 flyer

 

Full information (content of the booklets) can be downloaded from the following link :

http://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/City-publications/publications-and-reports/building-planning-and-development