Dear Allsound Client
PROJECT SAFER SPACES – HUNTERS HOME/REXFORD/FISHERHAVEN (HRF)
We are excited to announce our Safer Spaces Project, which is a collaborative venture
between Allsound Security and various stakeholders and Neighbourhood Watch Structures.
Safer Spaces is a visionary and innovative project, following the success of similar projects in
the cities, which aims to make Knysna a safer place for everyone. This communication aims
to give you an idea of how this project will benefit the residents of HRF.
HRF NHW – Background
The HRF Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) has been operating now for over 10 years. During
that time the Hunters Home, Rexford and Fisherhaven Neighbourhood (HRF) area has
greatly reduced crime, particularly with the installation of CCTV Cameras at various points in
the suburbs. Their CCTV project commenced in 2016, with capital funding from the
Municipality as well as through an annual NHW Membership fee. Funds raised annually
have sustained the running costs of camera monitoring & general maintenance.
Part of the existing system is already oudated, some of the cameras are 7 years old! The
existing infrastructure needs to be upgraded, maintained, adjusted to accommodate for
“network congestion” and future provisions need to be made for backup power during
loadshedding and fibre connection. There is much needed in the very near future to
continue these efforts and also to expand to cover the area with additional cameras.
SAFER SPACES PROJECT PLANS
Future strategies need to be put in place for the aging Camera system, to enhance the excellent ground work done by the HRF NHW. We need to ensure that the CCTV project
grows and that all residents benefit from improved safety in the HRF Neighbourhood.
The main aim of the Safer Spaces Project is summarized as follows:
- The existing HRF Camera Network will be purchased from the HRF NHW by Allsound
at a fair price as negotiated between the parties. This means that there will be no
future need for once off capital outlay fundraising. - Allsound Security will be responsible to maintain, repair, replace and add to the
camera system in collaboration with HRF NHW. - The HRF neighbourhood will benefit from the latest technology replacing ageing
equipment, with the possibility of License Plate Recognition (LPR) where necessary. - This new arrangement will result in a modern, reliable and efficient camera system, continually updated and expanded where necessary, with oversight from the HRF NHW
- Existing Allsound Clients will automatically be added to the HRF members platform, receiving timeous notifications, via the HRF Crimewatch whats app, of incidents in the area.
FUNDING OF THE CAMERA SYSTEM MOVING FORWARD
- A broader coordinated collaboration between all residents (HRF members & Allsound Clients) will mean a larger collaborative reach, resulting in increased funding at a lower cost to members.
- The current Annual Membership fee to the HRF Neighbourhood Watch is R740 / annum (R61-66 per month). By reaching more residents through combined
contributions, Safer Spaces Project aims to reduce this amount to R600 per household per year (or R50 per month). - The onerous task of CCTV fundraising will fall away.
- Existing HRF members will be invoiced by Allsound (at the reduced rate). Allsound Clients within the HRF Neigbourhood watch area (encompassing Hunters Home,
Rexford and Fisherhaven) will be included in the collective project and the R50 monthly fee will be added to their existing accounts. Should any Allsound Client be
opposed to this, they will be given an opportunity to “opt out”. We believe that most will see the benefit of a wider reach and a more united effort to improve the safety of the area. - Much preparatory work has been happening in the background and Allsound and HRF NHW propose the official launch of Safer Spaces Project will be 1 January 2024.
We will keep our clients updated as we progress. Any queries can be emailed to us at saferspaceshrf@allsound.co.za.