BuaNews (Tshwane)
Michael Appel
10 September 2008
Johannesburg — The South African Police Service (SAPS) will be employing pro-active policing at the OR Tambo International Airport in the build up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
South African Police Service Director, Mondli Zuma said on Tuesday the police would not rely on reactive policing and put greater emphasise on pro-active policing instead.
"For crime to take place you need a mix of three things, namely, an offender, a vulnerable victim and an unsafe environment. Through a pro-active approach we want to make sure that there is not one of those elements at OR Tambo," he said.
The police's crime prevention deployment strategy also includes ensuring there are numerous vehicle and foot patrols carried out by uniformed and plain-clothed officers, as well as the participation in emergency simulated exercises, Mr Zuma said.
A total of 963 operational officers currently work at the airport currently. "About 75 percent of the officer's focus on crime prevention, 10 percent are detectives, 8 percent provide intelligence and 7 percent are in administrative roles."
He said there were 44 officers on duty per shift at the international terminals as well as 34 officers per shift are the domestic terminals. There are a further 17 officers in the landside area.
"On the airside we have 40 officers per shift. The cargo unit comprises 30 officers per shift, while the outer perimeter is patrolled by 25 officers per shift. There are also six officers with the dog unit per shift at the airport," he said.
OR Tambo is monitored by Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera's 24 hours a day, said Mr Zuma, adding that plans are in place to utilise panic buttons as part of the crime strategy.
Boom-gates at drop-off zones are to be activated by a panic button and security guards who are not armed will also be issued with panic buttons.
Internal corruption is still one of the largest challenges facing the police force, but the police are dealing with the problem, said Mr Zuma.
In late July this year, the SAPS conducted Operation Shield at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The SAPS and South African National Defence Force carried out simulated emergency situations to test their safety and security preparations for the world cup.
SAPS spokesperson Director Sally de Beer said at the time that the operation was aimed at testing and sharpening the security forces capabilities in terms of dealing with any airborne, waterborne, land borne or rail-related threat during major events.
Giving a perspective on safety and security in the hospitality industry Patrick Dunn, who has had vast experience in the hotel industry, that travellers lower their guards when they enter a hotel or environment in which they are the guest.
Therefore hotels need to find a fine balance between hospitality and ensuring the safety or their guests, Mr Dunn said, adding that when there is a lack of tourism packages available to tourists it allows illegal taxi and tour operators to exploit the situation.
A study in the United States found that the five key safety features of a hotel include sprinklers, cameras, electronic locks, secure corridors and in-room safety information videos.
"Research found that hotels near airports offer the most safety and security, while motels and bed and breakfast's offer the lowest form of security," he said.
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