The first phase of a camera roll-out in Camps Bay will see the deployment of 150 cameras - thermal and Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) - installed in the area over the next few months.

The R11.4m project, funded through the Camps Bay City Improvement District (CID), will be completed over a five-year period for the implementation and maintenance of the cameras.

At the end of the project, 400 cameras will have been installed in the area.

According to the Camps Bay CID manager, Muneeb Hendricks, the first phase of the roll-out will focus in deploying thermal cameras to secure the suburb's boundaries - from Victoria Road to Theresa Avenue, Theresa to Francolin Road, and Francolin to Woodhead Glen as well as key areas bordering the Little Glen.

This will be complemented by a network of LPR cameras placed in locations in the area.

Additionally, overview cameras and actively monitored artificial intelligence (AI) cameras, used to detect unusual activity and alert controllers in real-time and significantly reducing reliance on manual monitoring, will also be strategically installed.

Hendricks said the areas in phase one had been prioritised due to identified security concerns.

"The camera installation teams by service providers Caddic Security Systems & Integration (CSS&I) as our service provider will be identifiable by their branded clothing and will also be carrying an authorisation letter from the CID, to be shown on request if their activities are challenged," he said.

According to Camps Bay police station commander, Captain Liaan Janse van Rensburg, police, the Community Policing Forum (CPF) and the Camps Bay CID had extensive discussions about the camera roll-out, and certain crime challenges were established that called for a need for cameras.

Some of these challenges included car and house break-ins, or suspects walking away with stolen property, he said.

He said the cameras will assist them in identifying suspected criminals, and providing more access to track and monitor suspicious activities.

Cape Argus

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