Cyclists are getting proactive against thieves and robbers in the Table Mountain National Park.
|||Cape Town - Cyclists are getting proactive against thieves and robbers in the Table Mountain National Park, raising funds independently for surveillance cameras and new crime patrols at hot spots on the mountain.
Robert Vogel, founder of the Table Mountain Bikers, put out a call to his databases and on Twitter last week for funds for security cameras. The group has about 140 members and the funds soon started rolling in.
“I’m just making the money available because SANParks wouldn’t have the funds,” said Vogel.
In one week, more than R20 000 was raised, and Vogel was able to order three cameras.
These solar-powered “covert scout” cameras will be placed on suspected criminal access routes, and when activated by movement, will snap a photo and send it to designated cellphone numbers and e-mail addresses.
The R8 000 cameras have infrared lights and can function at night, and will be placed by the biker organisation with input from SANParks.
The group and SANParks would receive the information at the same time, said Vogel, so cyclists would get up-to-date information on the mountain, and some of the pressure would be taken off the rangers who, owing to the mountainous terrain, often had limited sight lines.
Wana Bacela, an area manager for Table Mountain National Park, confirmed that the park was working with Table Mountain Bikers to boost security.
alison.decker@inl.co.za
Cape Argus