Enabling safety in communities

Issue 3 2022 Security Services & Risk Management, Products & Solutions

Preventing crime, reducing anti-social behaviour and safeguarding residents is a major responsibility for municipalities and local communities. They need to care for the well-being of elderly and vulnerable people, children, women and workers, particularly lone workers, who are in public-facing roles.

A safe, low-crime community brings many tangible benefits, including being a desirable area to live and work in, and one in which it is easier to attract investment. Low crime rates often translate into lower property and insurance rates, boosted property values, and in some cases may even mean lower council tax. The added value could also mean an increase in tourist visits to local attractions which increases spend in the community. Less obvious benefits include better health and well-being among the population, as children and families feel safer.

Gathering good intelligence and disseminating it quickly is one way to keep communities safer. Private two-way Digital Mobile Radios (DMR) networks and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) terminals operating over commercial mobile phone networks provide an excellent way for different parts of the community to keep in touch and exchange information.

Local business anti-crime groups can work together to fight crime and anti-social behaviour and to contribute to a safer community for everyone. A private DMR network, PoC solution, or a combination of the two enables members to communicate with other businesses and agencies on the network.

Radios provide a quick and efficient way of sharing information and passing on warnings in real time to groups of people and businesses simultaneously. For example, retailers can warn each other if a known shoplifter is spotted in the area. The radio system helps build relationships to encourage collaborative action and teamwork across different public and private entities.

Hytera DMR and PoC radios are tough, rugged, durable and highly reliable devices able to withstand a lot of daily wear and tear. PoC devices also enable transmission of data, photos, and video calling and streaming. Hytera also offers body-worn cameras, which can capture the truth of an incident using video and audio, as well as providing a mobile complement to fixed CCTV.

Many Hytera devices are equipped with personal safety features, including emergency calling, Man Down and Lone Worker alerts, and GPS to enable users to be monitored and tracked. Radios also provide the perfect social distancing device enabling people to work in a safe way, while also combating the spread of COVID-19.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Analyse, automate, and optimise logistics processes
neaMetrics Surveillance Transport (Industry) Products & Solutions Logistics (Industry)
In today’s rapidly evolving logistics sector, the pressure to improve process efficiency, optimise resource usage, and ensure seamless security is more intense than ever. Smart, proactive surveillance is no longer a luxury — it is a critical operational necessity.

Read more...
Risk management and compliance enforcement
Security Services & Risk Management
Having a risk management and compliance programme (RMCP) is not just a procedural formality; it is a legal requirement under Section 42 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA).

Read more...
The dangers of poor-quality solar cables
Security Services & Risk Management Smart Home Automation
Reports indicate that one in six fires attended by South African firefighters is linked to substandard solar installations, often due to faulty wiring or incompatible components.

Read more...
Growing risks for employers
Security Services & Risk Management
With South Africa’s unemployment rate exceeding 32% and expected to rise beyond 33% this year, desperation is fuelling deception in the job market. Trust is no longer a given, it is a gamble.

Read more...
Chubbsafes celebrates 190 years
Gunnebo Safe Storage Africa News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
Chubbsafes marks its 190th anniversary in 2025 and as a highlight of the anniversary celebrations it is launching the Chubbsafes 1835, a limited edition 190th-anniversary collector’s safe.

Read more...
New law enforcement request portal
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
inDrive launches law enforcement request portal in South Africa to support safety investigations. New portal allows authorised South African law enforcement officials to securely request user data related to safety incidents.

Read more...
Continuous AML risk monitoring
Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management Financial (Industry)
AU10TIX, launched continuous risk monitoring as part of its advanced anti-money laundering (AML) solution, empowering businesses to detect behavioural anomalies and emerging threats as they arise.

Read more...
Growing risks for employers
Security Services & Risk Management
With South Africa’s unemployment rate exceeding 32% and expected to rise beyond 33% this year, desperation is fuelling deception in the job market. Trust is no longer a given, it’s a gamble.

Read more...
Advanced surveillance storage from ASBIS
Infrastructure Surveillance Products & Solutions
From a video storage solutions perspective, SkyHawk drives, designed for DVRs and NVRs, offer high capacity, optimised firmware, and a reliability workload rating of hundreds of terabytes per year.

Read more...
Managing mining physical security risks
Zulu Consulting Security Services & Risk Management Mining (Industry) Facilities & Building Management
[Sponsored] Risk-IO, a web app from Zulu Consulting, is designed to assist risk managers in automating and streamlining enterprise risk management processes, ensuring no steps are skipped and everything is securely documented.

Read more...