All crimes reported are visually mapped on street maps which users can easily navigate to view crime incidents around them. This gives the public access to valuable information to make them acutely aware of the types of crimes happening close to them. In turn hopefully making the public more vigilant and less likely to fall victim to similar crimes. At the heart of the initiative is the simple premise that by sharing information and raising general awareness of localised crimes, we can become more proactive against crime and bring down the crime levels.
Get Involved - In South Africa minor crimes are often not reported, possibly as they seem so trivial in the light of the serious crimes or people are too busy. Seemingly the main motivation to report a crime is for the case number required to submit an insurance claim. Yet if all crimes, no matter how small are reported, the more informed the authorities and public could be - and better equipped to combat criminals.
The website was 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 and captured on the system no matter how minor. The NYPD could then begin to see crimes patterns and begin to predict where criminals could possibly strike next, allowing them to be prepared and counteract the crime effectively. The result was that over a short time crime in New York City was brought to it's knees.
This system was based on the Broken Windows Theory, which 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. Each night graffiti was washed from subway cars, subway turnstile-jumpers were caught and arrested, trash was picked up. Items which seemed minor, but the seemingly insignificant quality-of-life crimes were found to be the tipping point for violent crime.
When New York "windows" were repaired, crime dropped. And since criminals graduate from minor crimes to major crimes, a thief becomes a murderer and not the other way around. The more we focus on the minor crimes, the less chance of a criminal being allowed to form.
As the website is a community initiative, Crime Aware is quick to remind users that reporting a crime online on the website is not official and you are still urged to report the crime to the authorities. Not Negative - A recent criticism received was that a website like this just highlights the crime in the country and can serve to lower public morale. "However the opposite is true", believes Gerald Yapp, whose company created the website, "It's positively reassuring when you witness and share the spirit of the South African people to end crime and improve the lives of all.
In addition many of the incidents being reported highlight speedy police reaction and arrests." The ongoing development of the website will be funded through banner advertising. Each advertiser is ensuring future improvements and sustainability of the website. The website will soon expand to support mobile phones, RSS feeds and SMS notifications. Use of the website is free to the public. The website was designed and developed by In-Detail Advertising and Design, a well established graphic design and web development studio in Johannesburg.
This is one of many initiatives they have embarked on in the past 19 years of business. "We have started a number of self funded online initiates. It started with MyPetition.co.za and now CrimeAware.co.za. Based on the success of Crime Aware, we will continue developing the website and also complete work on our other exciting web site ideas that we have had in incubation.", concludes Gerald. The website was soft launched a week ago and has already had a record amount of visitors. Thousands of South Africans have already jumped on board and are posting incidents of crime around them, showing that the community spirit is alive and well in South Africa. Visit the website at: www.crimeaware.co.za
Contact Information:Crime Aware South Africawww.crimeaware.co.za tel: 011 021-7793fax: 011 615-8760email: info@crimeaware.co.za
