Assagay was once averaging a crime rate of around 25 incidents per month and although a very active team of responders did their best to aid and combat crime in the area, we needed a proactive approach instead of reactive.

We decided to take on a new project, one that would take the NHW into a new era of crime prevention, and so the Eagle Eye Camera project started. With help from the residents in high crime areas, we started installing high definition line crossing cameras at the entrances coming into Assagay as well as street level cameras within the Assagay footprint.

Over the past 3 years we have raised funds to install a total of 40 street cameras in and around Assagay. With an additional 6 bush cams, rotated periodically. 

What this means is between certain hours of the night with the advanced technology of some of these cameras, we are able to map line crossing areas that trigger upon motion when criminals come into the area, alerting the team of a potential crime about to take place. From these notifications, the team mobilises and gets to key strategic exit points that have been identified. We have been able to successfully intercept criminals either moving between properties or while trying to exit the area.

We have been able to gain vital intelligence about suspect movements, syndicate identification and patterns, number plates to identify stolen vehicles or cloned/false plates.

Our partnership with Blue Security and the start of the WBA project:

Based on the success rate we have had, a new project was then launched in working partnership with one of the larger security companies, Blue Security. This new initiative is called the WBA project, which stands for West Riding, Botha’s Hill and Assagay. The 3 NHWs have built a very close relationship in combating crime and with the support of Blue Security, we are working towards a dedicated Blue vehicle for the WBA area (depending on client sign-ups).

As part of the project, SNIPR cameras are to be installed along major roads leading into/out of our area. These are highly advanced cameras that enable us to identify/flag number plates of stolen/highjacked vehicles, or vehicles used in a crime; giving us the advantage of immediately knowing when criminals are in the area 24/7. Currently there is 1 active SNIPR camera in our footprint with two more marked for installation pending client sign-ups.

In addition, the NHW has access to all 4 of the Blue “lollipop” cameras in our area. 

You can read more about the WBA project here: https://www.bluesecurity.co.za/wba-project/

We need your continued financial support:

We have managed to drop the crime rate right down in the camera covered footprint and due to this success, we realise the importance of further extending the camera rollout.

A fully installed camera installation consisting of 2 ColorVu street cameras within Assagay’s inner streets costs about R12k. Advanced ColorVu line crossing cameras for the entrances into Assagay cost around R9k for 1 camera fully installed. We use ColorVu cameras as they remain in full colour throughout the night as opposed to infrared which turns black and white. This gives us the benefit of seeing better definition and identifying clothing colour, vehicle colour etc to narrow down the search while out responding.

In the 2024/25 year we would like to have a further 4 street installations and 1 further entrance installation completed at key points where crime is currently higher in the Assagay area.