Umhlanga Rocks Virtual Estate
Welcome to the Umhlanga Rocks Virtual Estate
My best guess is that you are on this page to discover more about the why’s, how’s, what’s, whereabouts and who’s of the Umhlanga Rocks Virtual Estate (URVE). More importantly, you’re probably wanting to know what the benefits are of being a part of the project. Rest assured, you have reached your information destination!
Have you been a part of the project since day one or are you a new member of the crew? Either way, this page will provide you with a rundown of how and why the Umhlanga Rocks Virtual Estate Blue Zone came into existence and inform you of the benefits that project members have access to.
Why was the URVE initiated?
With segregated solutions to security in the area, criminal activity was increasing exponentially. Residents of the now called Umhlanga Rocks Virtual Estate (URVE) realised the need for a united effort to keep their community safe and secure.
They formed a community policing unit called the S.R.C. (which serviced Stanley Grace Crescent, Ridge Road and Chartwell Drive) and partnered with Blue Security to take care of their surveillance, armed response, and patrolling needs. The combination of Blue’s security expertise and the S.R.C’s knowledge about the community created a partnership that has successfully reduced criminal activity in the area and given the URVE residents peace of mind.
Meetings are held regularly with the committee whereby a full report of the week is reviewed including arrests made, suspicious vehicles and planned operations with SAPS.
How and where was the URVE initiated?
The Umhlanga Rocks Virtual Estate is one of the best monitored neighbourhoods in Durban and one of Blue Security’s flagship projects. Launched in January 2014, the Estate now has a dedicated vehicle that patrols the entire footprint from the M4 highway to the coastline and the northern border to the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve to southern section reaching almost to the Saratoga Beach Park.
The project has grown from strength to strength as more layers of security have been deployed over the years, boasting Eye-in-the-Sky cameras and ANPR (Automated Number Plate Recognition) cameras that have recently been upgraded with AI (Artificial Intelligence) integration further optimising community safety.
The ANPR cameras are situated at every entrance to the Estate and are continuously reading vehicles number plates and matching them against the SAPS database. This ensures that all the relevant role players are notified should any suspicious vehicles enter the footprint, allowing for immediate and quick action to be taken.
What are the benefits of being a member of the URVE?
- A dedicated vehicle that never leaves the designated footprint ensuring faster response times
- A dedicated project management team to assist with your queries
- Alarm signals which link directly to the dedicated vehicle
- Direct cell phone communication with the project vehicle for rendezvous meet-and-assist services
- External perimeter and internal property checks upon request
- 2 Free Blue Mobile Panic Apps per subscribed household
- Ambassador and Tactical team for special operations
- ANPR Vehicle recognition cameras at each entrance to the estate
- An Eye-in-the-Sky Camera
- Dedicated community WhatsApp group
There is no doubt that the Blue Zone members can see the value in being a part of the project, and are enjoying the rewards of the dedicated CPO’s on the street and tech-intelligent eyes that look after you from above.
Who are the main points of contact for the URVE project?
Project Champion
Hilton Maclarty – 074 1826 046
Community Manager
Charlene Wannenburg
075 001 9197
Charlene.wannenburg@bluesecurity.co.za
Community Policing Officer
If you are a resident living within the Umhlanga Rocks Virtual Estate, interested in better securing your home, contact us for more information by completing the form below.