The City’s Public Safety Department has partnered with VumaCam, a wireless outdoor security camera provider, to strengthen the Integrated Intelligence Operations Centre (IIOC) in its quest to make Johannesburg crime and grime free. The two-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) will enable VumaCam to strategically deploy and manage hi-tech cameras throughout the bustling streets of Johannesburg.
The VumaCam cameras, which are known for their high-quality video and audio, durability, and weather resistance, will be mounted on walls or poles in public places and managed through a solid fibre network connected to the IIOC.
The MoU was signed by the Public Safety Head of Department (HoD) Tebogo Modiba and VumaCam Chief Executive (CEO) Ricky Croock on Monday, 13 March in Martindale, west of the inner-city.
The VumaCam’s motion detection, night vision, two-way communication, and cloud storage will be used to detect suspicious activities, assist officers with investigations, and monitor by-law infringements.
The cameras, which are internet-connected, will allow law enforcement to monitor human activity remotely, improve traffic flow management, emergency response times, and the overall deployment of municipal resources.
“We hope to leverage this cutting-edge technology that is highly effective and provides a well-maintained and regulated network to augment the City’s law enforcement and crime prevention strategies,” Modiba said.
The cameras will also help departments and entities improve service delivery and mitigate crime against municipal assets, given the rise in incidents of vandalism of City infrastructure.
VumaCam’s system architecture enables intelligent video analytics, from license plate recognition to the real-time detection of abnormal activities. The footage is viewable on smartphones, allowing law enforcement or residents to collaborate and share information in real-time.
Croock said his company was committed to delivering high-quality, innovative solutions to enhance safety and security in Johannesburg.
“Our mission is to provide cutting-edge technology and reliable products that empower our customers to take control of their security needs. We are excited to see the Public Safety Department embrace technology to enable the City of Johannesburg to better support the public with critical services while also providing the JMPD with essential crime fighting, prevention, and support capabilities,” he explained.
The partnership is envisaged to make it easier to identify areas that need service delivery, such as repairing traffic lights that are not working, said Modiba.
The Public Safety Department owns, operates, and monitors hordes of CCTV cameras in the inner-city and is looking for new and better ways to manage its current systems.
Modiba said the MoU was a notable example of how private sector technology and best practises can help fast-track the delivery of basic services.
The VumaCam cameras are already a popular option for homeowners, small business owners, and property managers across the country who want to secure their property and monitor any suspicious activity.
With this partnership, the Public Safety Department hopes to create a safer Joburg, “being better supported through CCTV technology in their law enforcement and public safety duties,” Croock said.
Written by Bongiwe Radebe and Dakalo Ramudidibi
14/03/2023