George Sets the Standard for Urban Safety with Innovative Integrated Strategy

Safety takes the spotlight as the city of George embraces its growth with proactive measures designed to ensure the peace and well-being of its citizens. In a significant development, the George Municipality’s Community Safety Division presented its pioneering Integrated Community Safety Strategy to city leadership, outlining a visionary approach to combating crime and fostering a secure environment conducive to the city's progress.

The presentation, led by Executive Mayor Ald Jackie von Brandis, with MMC for Community Safety Cllr Brendon Adams, took place on Friday, September 6, highlighting the strategy’s core elements that coalesce law enforcement, traffic services, fire and emergency services, plus disaster management into an all-encompassing safety net for the city.

The refurbished Integrated Operational Command Centre, located strategically next to the George Fire Station on Mitchell Street, promises to be the nerve centre of this new strategy. Funded with an investment exceeding R5 million, this facility is built to support and enhance the efficiency of various security stakeholders, cementing George's front-running position in urban safety management.

Mayor von Brandis was visibly impressed with the extensive network of security cameras monitoring the city's pulse. With over 700 cameras installed, this surveillance grid covers an impressive scope, including municipal properties, providing preemptive vision against the city's crime landscape.

The city's leadership, during their tour of the safety facilities, expressed confidence in the strategy's various initiatives. These innovations extend to the development of a dedicated response unit, a synergistic partnership with the SAPS, the initiation of a business intelligence and analytics unit, and the scaling capability to convert the Command Centre into a Disaster Management Joint Operations Centre in case of emergencies.

Citizens and businesses of George can look forward to a reinforced sense of security as the strategy aims not only to address current safety concerns but also to anticipate future challenges that parallel the municipality's expansion. It reflects a deep commitment to the mantra that a thriving city is one that harbors a secure and sustainable environment for all stakeholders.

Mayor von Brandis, on concluding the presentation, reinforced the Municipality's pledge to a spectrum of partnerships poised to nurture the seeds of a safer George, thus fostering an ecosystem where residents and investors can flourish alike.