The article “Doubts about plans to have second crack at Shotspotter” (Cape Argus, Monday, October 24) refers:
While I note that the article does carry some of the very extensive comment the City provided, I do wonder about descriptors like “much maligned” used in the opening sentence of the article, and whose views these represent.
Every person is entitled to their opinion, however an article, which this was, and not an opinion column, should be free from bias and subjective reporting.
This technology can never be the single solution to the violence plaguing so many of our communities, but is a valuable tool in a package of solutions, aimed at increasing the safety of residents.
Unfortunately, many safety interventions still remain outside the ambit of the City.
Effective law enforcement requires a strong criminal justice system (which is run by the national government) – and I think it is now widely accepted that our system is not living up to its full potential, with many suspects back on the streets just hours or days after being arrested on sometimes very serious charges.
The social fabric issues referred to are a critical aspect to making meaningful change in the lives of our residents, and there are departments tasked with doing that – Safety and Security’s primary focus is law enforcement.
We’ve seen results through gunshot detection technology, which is why the City is implementing the system once more. In addition to this technology, we have increased our resources on the ground in some of Cape Town’s worst crime-affected policing precincts, marking the milestone of 1 100 LEAP officers in August.
In the last financial year, our Law Enforcement and Metro Police officers recovered 206 illegal firearms from the streets and more than 2 000 rounds of ammunition. I am sure that SAPS officers too have recovered many firearms, and yet, the violence continues.
So it is not that enforcement and technology are a waste of time and money – it is what happens after the arrests and confiscations that needs unpacking. Perhaps the critics of gunshot detection technology should instead redirect their energy to helping improve the desired end result instead of consistently seeking ways to undermine the City’s efforts.
* JP Smith is the City of Cape Town’s Mayco Member for Safety and Security.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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