The South African Police Force cannot, for various reasons, cope with the current level of crime in the country. This fact was confirmed by no less than our honourable National Commissioner of Police Bheki Cele himself.
As if this does not pose a big enough challenge, a total of 5 869 complaints were submitted AGAINST police force members in 2010 –’11.
Are Private Security Guard companies the answer to this growing problem?
Security Guard Companies initially started up to offer commercial security as well as “extra” security to more affluent residents in up-market suburbs.
It was considered quite “grand” to have a private security guard at your entrance-gate, and a patrol car coming by with regular interval.
Over the years it became a preferred and widely used service, and new security guard companies appeared almost overnight. “Armed Reaction” and “Armed Response” became buzz-words.
The industry consolidated over the last decade, but the scene is set to provide security guard companies with a somewhat new role to fulfill.
Security Guard Companies across the country are progressively getting involved in more of a policing-role vs. that of pure guarding or re-acting to a petty break-in.
In some towns, like Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, and Alberton in Gauteng, security guard companies are now un-officially integrated with the police force.
The Town Councils contracts a couple of security companies to pro-actively combat crime in conjunction with the police. These companies provide personnel, vehicles and equipment to safeguard residents and property and to act against crime and violence.
It is not uncommon at all to read that a security guard company’s personnel were the first to arrive at the scene of a crime, or even a traffic accident.
You see them on a daily basis around town – casually patrolling the streets, wearing a police-like uniform, bullet-proof vest, walkie-talkies and all, minding the business that every citizen regards highly – safety and security.
Heck, I’m glad Security Guard Companies are around; seems like there is someone to call when you really need someone!
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