The increase in crime has prompted many communities to take a more proactive stance regarding their local security requirements and are now starting to work far more closely with the authorities and private security companies in order to find a solution which best fits that community.
Fidelity ADT has taken the initiative and has implemented and rolled out a number of Localised Security Schemes (LSS) throughout South Africa. An LSS is an interactive product designed to achieve maximum levels of security in urban communities.
Steven Bronks Fidelity ADT Community Development Manager says,” The LSS or neighbourhood security service offering, when compared to standard security offerings, is a highly proactive partnership approach, which places control of the security needs of an area directly in the residents’ hands and has proved highly successful in combating petty crime. Significantly, the most successful LSS schemes are where there is a strong community involvement with a committee that liaises closely with both the security company and with SAPS and also uses technology in the form of CCTV and/or LPR in combatting crime. The combination of these elements and vigilance by residents in reporting suspicious activity, has brought the crime rate down significantly to the point where there are only a couple of reported incidents over many months in areas where this approach has been adopted.
He says in the North of Joburg the team has rolled out LSS solutions successfully in a number of suburbs including Bryanston, Gallo Manor, Parktown North, Rivonia and Linden to name a few, with a corresponding drop in crime.
“To successfully implement an LSS, there has to be buy-in from most of the residents in an area. One can then go on to tailor a security solution for that particular area which could include either booms, bicycle guards, access control guards, a response service or a combination of any of these solutions. “The more residents that sign up, the lower the monthly cost per household per month,” says Bronks.
“Operating in isolation is not an option these days. We rely a lot on information received from our Customers, the SAPS, community associations and other relevant parties. Customers have also been educated to become more vigilant in their approach to security. This two way communication has resulted in us not only offering a reactive security service but also a proactive one,” concludes Bronks.
ENDS