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Bits 'n bytes

Apart from the numerous reports of cash in transit heists, two security-related news stories caught my eye in the weeks leading up to the publication of this issue of Hi-Tech Security Solutions...

IOL reported that Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has allocated billions to fight crime and get the ball rolling for the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament. (see http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?art_id=vn 20051026064552862C461577&set_id =1&click_id=13&sf=)

His revised estimates, revealed when he tabled the 'mini-budget' - the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement - in parliament on 25 October, allow for spending of R46,5 billion on justice, police and prisons during the current financial year, with projected figures for the next three years of R51,5 billion, R56,1 billion and R60,9 billion.

According to the report, the extra funds to the South African Police Service are intended to put more police on the streets as well as pay reservists, increase border patrols and modernise police equipment, training and buildings. That is promising news...

Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the South African Football Association's local organising committee was reportedly pleased with the extra funds allocated to the police, with security being one of the committee's main areas of concern in the planning of the 2010 World Cup.

The other story appeared on news24.co.za on 13 October (http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1816200,00.html) and it reported that thousands of children from Ravensmead, Cape Town, were to be photographed and fingerprinted in an endeavour to prevent the frequent abduction of children in the area.

The idea is that the photos and fingerprints get kept in police files and copies given to schools and families of the children, this following the disappearance of a teenager in the area, for whom the search was hampered because her family did not have a picture of her.

Call me paranoid - or even neurotic - but when my daughter was younger and we were out in busy public places, I used to write my cell number on her arm just in case she went missing and could not remember the number if she was found. Luckily that never happened, but for years now we have had tracking devices fitted in our cars and we have microchipped and tagged our pets... Surely our children are worth more than those?

Wishing you all everything of the best over the Festive Season!

Lynne Larsen

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