Working closely with one another in an organised and effective way, the South African Police Services, the community and local security company, ADT Security, have managed to significantly reduce crime levels in various suburbs in and around Cape Town.
According to Graham Paddock, chairman of the Rondebosch City Improvement District (RCID), a bicycle patrol service and dedicated armed response vehicles introduced to the area by ADT a year ago, has had a significant impact on crime in the area.
Captain Tony Penso of the Rondebosch police station substantiates these sentiments. "Visible uniformed patrols are the answer. In our RCID crime was down by 60% in September 2002 when compared to the same period last year. This I believe is due to the ADT patrols in the area and the efficient manner in which the RCID is run."
These successes have, says Paddock, resulted in more than 80% of his area's residents enthusiastically supporting the initiative. "I believe that the development of a real partnership between my committee, our manager and ADT staff has been a vital element in the RCID's success. Our partnership with ADT has really made the RCID safer," he says.
According to Adrian Good, managing director of ADT Security in Cape Town, the company has 120 response vehicles patrolling the Western Cape. Not only do ADT's reaction officers respond to alarms activated in response to criminal activity but they also respond to medical emergencies. "On average we have a very good arrest rate and we handle anything from having our bicycle patrolmen returning lost keys to home owners to arresting suspects for housebreaking up to attending to serious crimes such as armed robberies.
For more information contact ADT Security, 086 12 12 420.
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