Fidelity ADT, a security company in South Africa is pairing up with Vumacam to launch a R60 million SafeCity initiative that’ll see around 1,850 new (and functioning) security cameras spread across Joburg. 350 of these are being installed in areas that have never had cameras security before. So, if you’ve got a specific destination in mind where all your dodgy dealings go down, you might want to avoid heading back there for a while. At least until all the cameras are either stolen or stop working. Next Friday should work.

Joburg is watching

Through the SafeCity initiative, the 7,000 already-installed cameras plus almost 2,000 new ones will be accessible by FidelityADT to better scour the city for crime patterns and assist with crime prevention or any ongoing investigations. Some of the cameras are being strategically placed near areas that have experienced an influx of crime more recently.

“The initiative connects private security providers and SAPS through Business Against Crime South Africa’s (BACSA) Eyes and Ears (E2) Fusion Centre promoting more collaboration,” said FidelityADT CEO, Wahl Bartmann.

He went on to say that “increased cameras across arterial routes and green spaces means that recreational activities such as running, walking and cycling can be done with greater peace of mind knowing that there is another level of security.”

In addition to the extra cameras and security, dedicated Telegram groups will be set up in areas across Joburg that’ll allow residents to get updates and report anything that seems off. “Hey, maybe that guy shouldn’t be walking around with a bazooka.” You know, that sort of thing.