Cameras to monitor Key Ward 46 entrances get the green light for Manenberg, Belgravia and Rylands

The placement of Licence Plate Recognition (LRP) cameras funded by ward allocation will soon be underway.

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The placement of Licence Plate Recognition (LRP) cameras funded by ward allocation will soon be underway.

Ward 46 councillor Aslam Cassiem says the allocation of R150 000 for neighbourhood watches as capital and a further R50 000 for operational costs was set aside in the current ward budget.

“I called the neighbourhood watches together and asked them how we could use this money. It is not a lot, but how can we best utilise what we have available? The overwhelming majority of them said we needed to invest in cameras,” says Cassiem.

After taking the proposal to the City of Cape Town as the authority in installing cameras, he was advised that CCTV cameras would be too expensive. The City then advised that a minimum of three LPR cameras would be possible, depending on variables.

The costs are impacted by whether or not they can be mounted on the property of a resident or if they require planting on the sidewalk.

Should all three be planted on private properties, this number could increase to four or five cameras, says Cassiem.

“I spent a few hours and went around with law enforcement officers responsible for cameras. We wanted to see who we (could) speak to about planting the cameras and places where they (could) be placed with advice from residents,” he says.

Three locations were earmarked: at the entrance to Manenberg, Rylands entry/exit at Golden Dish and the Belgravia area.

A timeline for the implementation will be available once all relevant locations have been finalised with property owners and departments where applicable.

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