New security camera for Plett beach

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay has become a safer place with the donation of a brand new CCTV camera, which has been installed on one of the town’s most popular beaches.

ADT Security recently donated a state-of-the-art CCTV camera to the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) after its highly effective camera at the Beacon Island hotel became dysfunctional about a year ago.

The camera had been used in the PBCPA’s crime-fighting efforts and led to major successes during the time it had been operational.

PBCPA operational head Otto Olivier says an example of this was a vehicle break-in about two years ago. The camera picked up the culprits and from there they could be followed to where the police and PBCPA members could arrest them.

“Another way the camera had been effective was with picking up suspicious people on the beach. Our trained surveillance team was able to identify potential thieves looking to snatch valuables left on towels by beachgoers. During one December holiday, we were able to remove 25 suspicious people from Central beach,” Olivier says.

Combating illegal drinking by especially minors is another area where the camera had proven useful, he says. “The camera picked up youngsters drinking on the beach and we could confiscate the alcohol and get them home before they found themselves in danger in the ocean.”

Vital tool for crime fighters
Olivier says since the camera stopped working, complaints had increased. “We have had high numbers of people saying that some of their belongings had been stolen while on the beach.”

ADT Garden Route branch manager Steven Green handed the new camera over to the PBCPA on 29 December and says he was honoured to contribute to such a worthy cause.

Local company The Computer Shop offered to install the camera and the footage will be monitored by Plett Security free of charge – an exercise that costs about R24 000 per month.

Bitou public safety head Andile Sakati says the camera would be a useful tool in assisting with public safety, especially as it is able to provide a 360º view of the area.

Ina Olivier of the PBCPA says the camera is taking them one step closer to realising their ultimate dream for the town in terms of crime prevention.

“CCTV surveillance is a wonderful tool, a proactive way of preventing crime. Our dream is to have cameras at all major points including Main Street, especially around our ATMs where criminals often strike.”