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MOSSEL BAY NEWS & VIDEOS - The Mossel Bay Advertiser is one of the local businesses who pledged to donate an overview camera in support of the Mossel Bay Municipality's overall safety plan for the town and surrounds.
This followed a plea for support by chairman of the Mossel Bay Business Chamber, Albert Wiffen, at the monthly networking event of the Business Chamber, hosted at the Joint Operation Centre (JOC), which is now completed.
All the roleplayers from the government safety sector who will be represented in the JOC, were among the guests.
During a walk-through of the facility, municipal councillor Leon van Dyk explained in detail the purpose of the JOC. He said that already, 105 security cameras placed all over the greater Mossel Bay area, feed into the CCTV centre of the JOC.
Van Dyk said that this capacity urgently needed to be increased to up to 512 cameras. The centre aims to link to an even larger input system. It was noted by Van Dyk, that this infrastructrure was in place thanks to the private sector.
Van Dyk said it was planned to roll out the camera network, and other technology to create a safer environment, into less affluent areas.
VIDEO: Stap saam deur Mosselbaai se Joint Operation Centre (JOC)
Executive mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé explained the reason for the municipality's involvement in creating a safer environment for local communities.
"People want to feel safe. If they don't, they complain to politicians like us who are close to our communities."
Private sector
Since safety was not a municipal mandate, strategic ways had to be found to create a network within an unfunded mandate, which is where the private sector gave their much-needed support.
Kotzé too emphasised the urgency of establishing a camera network in all the town's neighbourhoods.
"We need to make sure that the JOC is inclusive."
He said all avenues were being explored to see how this could be done faster, one being the use of the ward discretionary fund. The goal was to roll out five to10 cameras in every ward this year.
In closing, Wiffen asked Van Dyk for a breakdown of the cost to set up a camera. Van Dyk estimated it was between R5 000 and R13 000, depending on type and functionality. A complete installation is estimated at R35 000.
"I know you didn't come for this reason, but clearly we need a few more cameras," said Wiffen, in a plea to get local businesses to support the municipal safety project.. Several other businesses also pledged to donate cameras.
Wiffen and editor of the Advertiser, Suzette Herrer challenged other businesses to make their contribution to safety in Mossel Bay.
VIDEO: Mossel Bay Business Chamber networking event
Councillor Leon van Dyk, Xolani Phithi (acting head at the Mossel Bay Youth Centre), Alderman Dirk Kotzé (executive mayor of Mossel Bay), Suzette Herrer (editor of the Mossel Bay Advertiser) and Albert Wiffen (chairman of the Mossel Bay Business Chamber). Photo: Jannie du Plessis
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