HISTORY
In 2017 due to increased crime in our area (25-30 house burglaries each month!) the HRF NHW Committee decided to install CCTV cameras in our area.
Initial funding for the cameras was from the Knysna Municipality Ward 9 Budget with Amble Ridge Retirement Estate sponsoring one of the initial 5 cameras.
Gradually, the number of cameras in our area increased and we now, in Spring of 2021, have 30.
HRF NHW owns 16 of these cameras. Our partners Hunters Village, Hunters Retirement Centre, Forest Gardens, the Doctors Rooms and Knysna Private Hospital, own and maintain 14. The residents of these communities have joined 150 individual households as full members of our NHW.
MONITORING
All cameras are actively monitored by Allsound Security from 2200 and 0600 and record permanently. The vast majority of these cameras are monitored using sophisticated Artificial Intelligence software. This software reduces false alarms by differentiating between humans, animals or wind effects and bush movement.
EFFECTIVENESS
When the camera identifies a human during the monitoring hours, a screen in the Allsound Control Room will pop up and the controller, if necessary, will dispatch a patrol vehicle to investigate. Several times a month, known criminals are removed from our area or arrested if in possession of housebreaking equipment.
Also, the recordings can be used after an incident to identify suspects. These recordings are available only to Crimewatch Members.
Are the cameras effective? You bet they are! Our house burglary incidents are now on average 2-3 per month. Some months nothing at all. We have one of the lowest crime rates in Knysna.
FUNDING
Funding is needed to support our comprehensive camera system. The NHW needs to fund the 16 cameras we own. Costs include Allsound Security monthly monitoring fees, maintenance, repairs and replacement, and future expansion of the system.
Initially, the HRF NHW received money from the Knysna municipality Ward 9 budget and donations from local residents and businesses. The municipality stopped their support, and as our camera system expanded, it became obvious that a more reliable income stream was needed.
The NHW Crimewatch membership was created and residents made voluntary contributions (presently R605 for 2021) to become members of the NHW and support our Camera Initiative. The benefits of membership are listed on the Website.
If you do not want to get involved in our Crimewatch Membership membership, then just donate a sum of your choice. Support our CCTV camera initiative.
Don’t sit back and let your neighbours pay for YOUR security.