Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
About being positive
One of the things we were worried about when we started this project - was that the amount of crime being reported could actually just serve to depress us all.
Crime is ugly and depressing in nature and not a nice topic, but when something is happening so frequently and so violently, it's no wonder it becomes the first topic of conversation at any braai or social occasion.
But getting together and just focussing on the negativity of crime is kind of like getting together and just moaning about our broken down cars, but not trying to fix them. If something is broken, just complaining about it won't get it fixed. We need to start finding solutions together for the crime and get involved.
The police services are ill equipped and under heavy pressure, and by being more crime aware and vigilant for ourselves and others, we can start making ourselves less of a target and make it harder for criminals.
So it's not about being negative about the crime, its about being positive about our country.
We are all so different and varied in South Africa, but we are one heck of a beautiful country - the people and the land itself. But crime is making us negative and less open hearted to our fellow South Africans.
Criminals do NOT define the profile of the people in South Africa - they are a small minority causing a huge problem. And we are letting them do it if we just sit back and complain about it.
The one common thing that brings people together is a unified cause. Like fighting the oppression of apartheid brought people together.
Well people, lets get positive, we have a common challenge, use crime and other issues of the country to bring us together.
Lets be positive about one another and about ending the crime. It can be done.
Crime is ugly and depressing in nature and not a nice topic, but when something is happening so frequently and so violently, it's no wonder it becomes the first topic of conversation at any braai or social occasion.
But getting together and just focussing on the negativity of crime is kind of like getting together and just moaning about our broken down cars, but not trying to fix them. If something is broken, just complaining about it won't get it fixed. We need to start finding solutions together for the crime and get involved.
The police services are ill equipped and under heavy pressure, and by being more crime aware and vigilant for ourselves and others, we can start making ourselves less of a target and make it harder for criminals.
So it's not about being negative about the crime, its about being positive about our country.
We are all so different and varied in South Africa, but we are one heck of a beautiful country - the people and the land itself. But crime is making us negative and less open hearted to our fellow South Africans.
Criminals do NOT define the profile of the people in South Africa - they are a small minority causing a huge problem. And we are letting them do it if we just sit back and complain about it.
The one common thing that brings people together is a unified cause. Like fighting the oppression of apartheid brought people together.
Well people, lets get positive, we have a common challenge, use crime and other issues of the country to bring us together.
Lets be positive about one another and about ending the crime. It can be done.
Incredible response to Crime Aware!
Based on the response we have had so far, this website has been welcomed by many South Africans and forums combatting crime.
We are experiencing around 2500 unique visitors to the website daily, which is really impressive for a website that is only a few days old!
So many new suggestions are pouring in on what new features and improvements users would like to see.
Many of these we can add in and fix bugs on the go, but some of the bigger requests will take time to implement. But we consider every request sent in. So keep them coming.
Lets make South Africa crime free together - lets take back the streets, block by block and let the criminals know that they have no place in our society.
We are experiencing around 2500 unique visitors to the website daily, which is really impressive for a website that is only a few days old!
So many new suggestions are pouring in on what new features and improvements users would like to see.
Many of these we can add in and fix bugs on the go, but some of the bigger requests will take time to implement. But we consider every request sent in. So keep them coming.
Lets make South Africa crime free together - lets take back the streets, block by block and let the criminals know that they have no place in our society.
Friday, October 30, 2009
We just launched!
We created Crime Aware to help South Africans to get a grip on the crime around them. To help everyone avoid crime by being more aware of what is actually happening around them.
Years ago, before high walls and security gates, we all used to talk to our neighbours and share all kinds of information. But nowadays we probably wouldn't be aware if a neighbour was even hijacked or robbed in their home unless we read it in the news. Crime Aware hopes to change this.
Inspired by New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who instated a computer based crime mapping system called CompStat in the 1990's. Every crime that occurred in the city was reported on the system no matter how minor. The NYPD could then begin to see crimes patterns and begin to predict where criminals could strike next, allowing them to be prepared and counteract the crime effectively. The result was that over time crime in New York was cleaned up.
The broken windows theory states - "If a window is broken and left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge."
Mayor Giuliani adopted the Broken Windows Theory and implemented a community-policing strategy focused on order maintenance… graffiti washed nightly from subway cars, subway turnstile-jumpers arrested, trash picked up. Minor, seemingly insignificant quality-of-life crimes were found to be the tipping point for violent crime. When New York "windows" were repaired, crime dropped.
In South Africa we often do not report minor crimes as they seem so trivial in the light of the serious crimes. But criminals graduate from minor crimes to major crimes, a thief becomes a murderer and not the other way around.
If we all take the time to report the crime incidents that happen to us or around us, inform our neighbours and get involved with your local community policing forums, we can get an idea of the type of crime activity happening in our area. If someone tried to steal your car, or even vandalised your garden gnome, - report it as it may also happen to your neighbour - and the more we all know - the better prepared we can be to combat crime and prevent incidents happening to us, our families and friends.
We invite you to sign up and report ANY incident that happened to you or that you witnessed, recent or in the past. The more information we share - the better for all.
Sign up today - start something and report even just ONE crime incident.
Visit the website now at: www.crimeaware.co.za
Years ago, before high walls and security gates, we all used to talk to our neighbours and share all kinds of information. But nowadays we probably wouldn't be aware if a neighbour was even hijacked or robbed in their home unless we read it in the news. Crime Aware hopes to change this.
Inspired by New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who instated a computer based crime mapping system called CompStat in the 1990's. Every crime that occurred in the city was reported on the system no matter how minor. The NYPD could then begin to see crimes patterns and begin to predict where criminals could strike next, allowing them to be prepared and counteract the crime effectively. The result was that over time crime in New York was cleaned up.
The broken windows theory states - "If a window is broken and left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge."
Mayor Giuliani adopted the Broken Windows Theory and implemented a community-policing strategy focused on order maintenance… graffiti washed nightly from subway cars, subway turnstile-jumpers arrested, trash picked up. Minor, seemingly insignificant quality-of-life crimes were found to be the tipping point for violent crime. When New York "windows" were repaired, crime dropped.
In South Africa we often do not report minor crimes as they seem so trivial in the light of the serious crimes. But criminals graduate from minor crimes to major crimes, a thief becomes a murderer and not the other way around.
If we all take the time to report the crime incidents that happen to us or around us, inform our neighbours and get involved with your local community policing forums, we can get an idea of the type of crime activity happening in our area. If someone tried to steal your car, or even vandalised your garden gnome, - report it as it may also happen to your neighbour - and the more we all know - the better prepared we can be to combat crime and prevent incidents happening to us, our families and friends.
We invite you to sign up and report ANY incident that happened to you or that you witnessed, recent or in the past. The more information we share - the better for all.
Sign up today - start something and report even just ONE crime incident.
Visit the website now at: www.crimeaware.co.za
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