Dedicated patrol vehicle launches in Glenashley

Glenashley residents have partnered with Blue Security to step up security in their suburb with the launch of a dedicated patrol vehicle.
Blue Security special projects manager Stephen Wimborne said residents had approached the company seeking a solution to improve security in their neighbourhood. “Residents noted that there had been a number of housebreakings in the area during the year and wanted to take action to prevent further incidents. We conducted an in-depth assessment of the neighbourhood to ascertain its security needs and came up with a dedicated vehicle solution together with the residents,” he said.
Wimborne said the vehicle would proactively police the neighbourhood which was now a Blue Zone special project. “Research has shown that high visibility policing contributes immensely to crime prevention and sends the strong message to criminals that the possibility of detection and arrest is heightened, making it risky for them to operate in the patrol zone. The solution offers residents a premium rapid armed response service with direct access to our team to tackle any security or crime related issues going forward,” he said.
“Residents who have opted into the project will have direct cellphone access to our armed response officers on the ground for non-emergency support and sharing of information,” he said.
Glenashley resident Beverly Hill said there had been a spate of incidents in the neighbourhood and residents had approached the company seeking a solution. Hill said the company had also installed blue “Eye-in-the-Sky” street surveillance cameras on the corner of Ashely Drive and Adrian Road and another in William Campbell Road ahead of the launch of the dedicated vehicle. “We have already noticed the vehicle patrolling and it is a major deterrent that has given us a lot more security. We all feel a lot safer,” she said.
Hill said residents remained vigilant and were connected via a What’s App group to share crime intelligence.
Morningside resident Guy Groom said a special project including CCTV remote surveillance cameras in Holstead Gardens Road had already reaped benefits for residents. “We have a CCTV remote surveillance system with trip beams so that every time someone walks into the street they are being monitored at the control centre. It’s like having a security guard in the street 24/7 so by the time someone even wants to jump over a wall they are detected and apprehended,” he said.
Wimborne said the collaboration between the CCTV remote surveillance, control room and patrol vehicles had improved response times and resulted in several arrests.