The purpose of the project is to help secure Stilbaai, Jongensfontein and Melkhoutfontein. Footage of these cameras is used regularly to investigate criminal incidents. Cameras also discourage crime.

The initiative came from the Stilbaai Business Chamber. The first camera was installed in 2013 at the Stilbaai Bridge. In 2014 Jongensfontein received their first camera to secure their main entrances. Five years later (2019) 15 cameras have been installed the last of which in Melkhoutfontein. Phase one of the project is nearing completion with the last LPR cameras at Melkhoutfontein. During the next phase cameras will be installed at various identified points to cover the outer perimeter.

The project has come thus far because of generous contributions received from individuals, neighbourhood watches, the Stilbaai Business Chamber as well as organisations. The Technical and Traffic departments of the Hessequa Municipality as well as the SA Police graciously contributed by handling the practical aspects like electricity.

Wispernet Internet Service Provider provides free WiFi. Coastal Security made their recording and storage facilities available for free for recording and storing the footage from the overview cameras.

The project has become too extensive for the Business Chamber to manage. A need for a non-profit organisation was identified to manage the funding in a fully transparent way. We work with donated money coming from the community therefore we need to be transparent in management of such funds.

The SSN is a transparent registered non-profit organisation which is independently reviewed. It has a legitimate bank account with one of South Africa’s largest banks and all financial transactions are done through this account. Any incoming funding are paid directly into the bank account. We are making use of a registered accounting system (Sage Pastel), thus we are able to provide the necessary invoices and receipts. of such funds.

The Overview IP cameras record when movement is detected in their line of vision and stream a complete video. The video material is transmitted to Coastal Security’s monitoring facilities (for free) where it is recorded and stored. The footage can be viewed and reviewed in the same way as any video. These recordings regularly play an important role in police and neighbourhood watch investigations.

The Visec LPR (license plate recognition) cameras focus on the number plate snapshots of vehicles. They take a crystal clear snapshot of a license plate by day and by night as well as at relatively high speeds. These images are transmitted to the verification centre, processed and given through to the various relevant people (SAP, Hawks, Traffic, etc.) for action such as recovering a stolen vehicle.

Visec Cloud, now called NAVIC (National Vehicle Intelligence Cloud) is a vehicle of Interest database. It provides the framework for the support of security organisations to obtain relevant vehicle related data in real time and act on such data in order to fight crime.

The NAVIC Cloud stores digital license plate information of almost 2 billion plate numbers. There is a network of LPR cameras all over the country uploading snapshots of license plate numbers 24/7 as vehicles pass the cameras. The system provides valuable information about the whereabouts of vehicles of interest.

NAVIC Cloud’s license plate number footage is available to approved users from the SA Police, Hawks, NPA, SanParks, City councils, Metro police, law enforcement, approved neighbourhood watch operations, border control, cash-in-transit and car risk investigators.

At the moment (Jan 2024) the network consist of 54 cameras spread over Stilbaai, N2/R305 Turn-off: Jongensfontein, Melkhoutfontein, Windsor, Melkhoutkraal; Spuithoek; Ystervarkfontein/Blikhuis and the Blombos rural area. All placed at strategic points:

• 18 Navic/Visec LPR cameras – Stilbaai 4; N2/R305 Turn-off 2; Jongensfontein 2; Melkhoutfontein 2; Blombos 4: Windsor 1; Melkhoutkraal 1; Spuithoek 1; Ystervarkfontein/Blikhuis 1
• 36 Overview IP cameras – Stilbaai 18; Jongensfontein 5, Melkhoutfontein 2, Blombos 4, Spuithoek 1,Windsor 1, Melkhoutkraal 1 , Ystervarkfontein/Blikhuis 1,  N2/R305 Turn-off 2, Control room 1

Currently there are two focus points/projects, one by the the Stilbaai Heights residents and another one that focuses on the outside perimeter and will cover all incoming routes into the area. The plan is to add another +/- 15 Navic/Visec LPR and about +/- 30 overview cameras. These cameras will be strategically positioned to cover the areas of Stilbaai Heights, Hectorskraal, Swartklip, Melkhoutkraal as well as Rietvlei. Also Blikhuis, Spuithoek, Klipfontein, R305, Blombos/Riverdale and Blombos/Jongensfontein.

On completion of the current phase there should be a total of +/- 100 cameras +/- 30 LPR and 70 overview cameras. The finalisation of the project, of course, fully depends upon funding received from the communities concerned.

Current estimation/aim is to raise approximately R400 000. The longer we wait, the higher the costs.

LPR and Overview cameras as well s upgrade of existing power camera points to accommodate load shedding (power backups)

1 complete point if there are power available is about R33 000. But adding solar power to an installation, costs go up to about R37 000 per camera point.

A complete Camera-point: LPR Camera, Overview Camera, Solar Panels, Batteries and chargers, Pole, Civil costs, labour, etc.

1 – Hikvision LPR camera

1or 2 – 2MP Bullet cameras

2 – 12 PSU

2 – Stainless steel camera mounting brackets

1 – Data wireless link

1 – equipment cabinet

1 – Battery and charger for loadshedding

 installation, sundries and travel fees 

(New installations not Solar installations – Backup Battery and Charger for loadshedding)

If there is already – line of sight, a network and a power source, the cost currently about R33 000 for the installation of one camera-point. If solar power, batteries, chargers etc has to be added to provide power, the costs is about R37 000 per camera-point.

Maintaining the LPR camera will cost R400 + VAT (R460) per month = R5 520 per year (this figure includes the Visec license and 10Mbps Internet)

R400 pm + vat consist of a   R200 for a verification agent licence  – fee charged (Navic) and ONLY R200 pm charged for 1 x 10Mbps internet connection.

At the moment streaming of all Overview cameras (WiFi) is generously sponsored by Wispernet.

• The camera project is already 9 years old which means we will soon need to do maintenance on cameras and existing infrastructure.
• Upgrading of excisting power/camerapoints to accommodate loadshedding (+/- R6500 p/p 
• Completion of the Control Room
• infrastructure for the network e.g. towers, solar or battery and charger, poles, etc.

SSN Management makes decisions about camera placements under the guidance of the SA Police and other safety organisations. The strategic placing of a camera is extremely important for maximum monitoring and effect.

No, there is a strict policy in place to control the use of such footage.

Overview camera footage can only be viewed by approved trained users on direct request from the SA Police. There has to be a case number, for instance. Information will only be used for securing and protecting residents.

Navic Cloud (license plate number) footage is available to approved users from the SA Police, Hawks, approved neighbourhood watch operations and many more.

No, footage will not be used for general traffic violations. It only be used if the violation is of a criminal nature.