Chris Blackshaw, CEO of the Century City Property Owners’ Association, a Section 21 Company representing all stakeholders at Century City and responsible for the management of all common areas within its boundaries, said the city had literally outgrown its previous security system.
“By the end of next year, the office component at Century City will literally have doubled to 175 000 square metres and more than 2000 residences would have come on stream over a two year period with the estimated population of those living and working here exceeding 20 000 people.
“The introduction of a new multi-million rand system has been critical for us to maintain our zero tolerance to crime philosophy and to ensure a safe and secure environment,” he said.
Blackshaw said the massive amount of new development at Century City had necessitated, among other things, the opening of new internal roads and two new entrances off Ratanga Road. These new areas and entrances opened up for development had not been covered by the old security system.
“The new urban electronic surveillance system, which went live at the beginning of October, includes a state-of-the-art control centre and a communications network consisting of a wireless backbone with two high sites having been established on KnightsBridge and Canal Walk East Tower to ensure reliable wireless network communication.
“The new system also comprises a network of new CCTV cameras including dome, as well as fixed cameras, highly advanced digital video recorders and an intercom system.”
Blackshaw said wireless technology had been chosen due to the particular nature of Century City with its system of waterways and canals and the fact that this system could easily be expanded to meet the needs of this rapidly growing urban environment.
“We are extremely excited at the use of new technologies to complement our personnel on the ground, which includes foot patrols in high pedestrian traffic areas.
“However, the key to success of a surveillance system is the monitoring of cameras and fast response. As such we have also increased the number of personnel in our 24 hour control room and have brought on a third response vehicle,” he said.
Blackshaw said the new system allowed for much more extensive and effective surveillance of the 250ha city as well as enabling a more rapid and effective response time.
“The system’s capabilities in assisting us manage potential traffic problems are also extremely important.
“It is so advanced that cameras can, for example, detect a car travelling in the wrong direction and immediately set off an alarm in the control centre allowing for rapid response and intervention from our staff on the ground.
“The system can also detect a number of stationary vehicles which indicate queues are forming and we can move quickly to avert any traffic congestion. This will be particularly useful in managing traffic flows in the peak festive seasons,” he said.