A number of neighbourhood watches and other civil society safety partners participated in a virtual dry run this weekend to test the newly formed Civil Security Collaboration Initiative. The City hopes to better integrate NWs and other community safety structures into its crisis intelligence sharing and gathering activities.
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The City’s partnership with Neighbourhood Watches is well documented through the NW Support Programme.
NWs’ roles have evolved over time, from basic patrols and a visible presence in their communities to closer collaboration with law enforcement and even monitoring CCTV cameras in their areas.
The City is currently testing a new initiative that aims to capitalise on the unique position that NWs and other community safety structures occupy, as well as strengthen information sharing and verification, as well as support from these organisations, particularly during times of crisis or disaster.
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‘Community structures like neighbourhood watches are very often first responders, but also have an ear to the ground in their communities – making them valuable partners in the intelligence sharing space during times of crisis. So if, for example, we start hearing chatter about a protest or flooding or any other public safety risk, the organisations on our dedicated WhatsApp channel can easily help verify or confirm information, but more importantly, the platform will give them a direct line to our Joint Operations Centre. Other benefits are that we can cut through the noise far more easily, and more importantly, we are able to direct resources appropriately, and speedily,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith.
The City has set up a dedicated WhatsApp line where up to two representatives from each Neighbourhood Watch can participate in the collaboration initiative.
In the event of a crisis, these representatives would use the platform to communicate information to the City as part of its response planning and execution.
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The dry run on Saturday was the first opportunity to test the system.
There were five scenarios, coordinated from a Joint Operations Centre in Goodwood: protest action in Hout Bay, Costa Da Gama (Muizenberg), and Sir Lowry’s Pass Village; food truck escorting in Strand; and a missing person in the Milnerton area.
‘This concept is very simple, but potentially incredibly valuable. The more credible information is available, the easier it is to plan, or respond, and who better to be involved than our safety partners at community level. This dry run will go a long way in helping to formalise this practice, and building it into our standard operating procedures going forward,’ added Smith.
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Picture: City of Cape Town