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Shotspotter to Return to Nelson Mandela Bay

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Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the fact that the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is finally taking the necessary steps to implement ShotSpotter technology in the Metro, specifically in the Helenvale Area.

ShotSpotter is an excellent tool for enhancing law enforcement and safety. As soon as shots are fired, the technology informs the Metro Police and South African Police Service instantaneously. The sound is sent directly to police officers, allowing them to respond to crimes within a fraction of the time while covering a larger radius.

In 2017, under the administration of the DA, the municipality piloted ShotSpotter Technology, a first of its kind in the Eastern Cape, in an attempt to combat gang violence in the Northern Areas. The introduction of this technology was revolutionary, in that immediately after its installation it yielded positive results and many arrests were made because the reaction times from the time shots were fired were cut down from twenty minutes to approximately two minutes.

Considering the effectiveness of the pilot project in 2017, the DA has been calling for this technology to be reintroduced to reduce crime in the Northern Areas, where gang-related activities are of concern.

In addition to ShotSpotter, the DA has also requested that the provincial commissioner of SAPS, together with the Department of Community Safety considers investing in Drone Technology to be used as part of the Anti-Gang Unit operations.

The DA has also called on the MEC for Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, to request the Minister of Police to double the number of members allocated to the Anti-Gang Unit, to assign the best detectives to support the SAPS in the NMB, to deploy the SAPS National Intervention Unit/Special Task Force in the Northern Areas and to strengthen crime intelligence and increase police visibility.

The DA will continue to fight against the ongoing gang violence and killings in the Northern Areas and look forward to the Crime and Safety Summit scheduled to take place on the 15th of March 2024 in Gqeberha.

Regards

Yusuf Cassim MPL
PE Northern Areas Constituency Leader

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