PLAUSIBLE RISKS MULDERSDRIFT 2024 - THE YEAR TO COME
2023 came and went in a flash. The year was not without its challenges and achievements. On the positive side we added another two thermal monoculars to our fleet; every night five of our reaction officers can now see deep into the dark. Our growing CCTV service, Overwatch expanded to cover 2,2 km of territory in the region. Dozens of community members, patrollers, and venue staff attended our free security training sessions. We also handed over various criminal suspects to Muldersdrift SAPS for cases as diverse as house robbery, business burglary, and theft of infrastructure. Muldersdrift SAPS also had a new positive change in leadership. We wish our new Station Commander the best in her new role.
On the negative side, crime continued consistently. Continuous infrastructure crime has depleted our power grid. Our rivers, which supply a lifeline to tourism venues, were severely polluted, and empty buildings were stripped and used by a growing Zama-Zama network.
To better understand the year to come, we present an adapted representation of Sohail Inayatullah’s Futures Triangle Model. This model reviews the weight of the past, the push of the present and the pull of the future. From this triangle we have projected five plausible threats that our precinct may well face in the year to come.
Can something be done about this? Yes, but not if the weight of these threats is left to individuals. The greatest power is in community.
Increase collective vigilance. This can be done with roadside CCTV schemes, well-managed WhatsApp groups, community training (including staff members), and radio networks.
The best force multiplier is through collective action. Join neighbourhood watches and community patrol schemes.
Create street-level stokvels to invest in security technology and infrastructure. We are aware of at least three active streets in the Muldersdrift region that are already doing this.
Practice the Japanese principle of Kaizen, meaning continuous improvement. Large security upgrades are expensive, but small continuous improvements add up to a large impact.
With a new year ahead of us, SMS would like to thank the patrollers, exceptional community members, paramedics, police officers, and other security providers who stood with us during the trials of 2023.
To our loyal clients, we appreciate your support over the last year.
Wishing you a safe new year.
#2024trends
#future
#muldersdrift
#smssecurity
#plausibefutures
#newyear2024