Together we can transform our community and reclaim our streets.
The safety and security concerns in the Stellenbosch CBD have escalated to a critical level, posing significant challenges to the well-being of our community and the prosperity of our town's economy.
Rising and alarming levels of vagrancy, smash & grabs, ATM & card scamming, bicycle theft, student assaults, and tourism-related crimes are serious concerns that demand our immediate attention and action.
Business owners, residents, and other stakeholders have united behind a proactive and constructive initiative called Siti: The Stellenbosch Improvement and Transformation Initiative.
As a Special Ratings Areas (or SRA), Siti will collect a levy from property owners based on the municipal values of their properties within the middedorp to improve the physical and social environment of central Stellenbosch.
Similar models have proven successful in communities across South Africa and beyond, with Stellenbosch already benefiting from two well-functioning Special Rating Areas: the Jonkershoek SRA and Techno Park SRA.
The Siti SRA area will extend from Drostdy Street (Jonkershoek/Die Laan SRA boundary) in the East to the R44 in the West, from the Eerste River in the South to Alexander Street in the North, including properties near the Stellenbosch Taxi Rank and Eikestad Parking Area.
SITI WILL HELP US TO:
Improve the middedorp’s safety and security 365 days of the year with 24/7 patrol vehicles, bicycle patrollers, central control room camera monitoring and skilled surveillance officers
Keep our streets and public areas clean and attractive
Drive social initiatives and programs that address homelessness and poverty in a holistic manner
Key features of Siti’s safety program include comprehensive oversight led by experienced coordinators, integration with existing security networks, round-the-clock armed response capabilities, and centralised radio communication for rapid reporting and response. Additionally, provisions are made for accessing third-party private security backup and expert external services to tackle higher-level crime.
CCTV Network: A Network of CCTV and LPR (number plate) cameras.
24/7 CONTROL ROOM MONITORING: 1 x 24/7 Control Room operator for camera monitoring to communicate with safety officers and the public.
ARMED RESPONSE OFFICERS: 3 x 24/7 dedicated SITI branded armed response vehicles that are equipped to deal with complex situations.
FOOT-PATROL GUARDS: 10 x 12-hour shift foot-patrol guards on foot/bicycle/e-bike which will act as the community’s “eyes and ears” on the ground and backed up by armed response.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS: 4 x Dedicated Municipal Law Enforcement Officers (8-hours per shift) who will enforce municipal by-laws.
PRIVATE SECURITY: Supplementary dedicated armed response and expert external services to investigate higher-level crime.
It’s our responsibility as property owners to be smart about our shared future.
Property owners will enjoy various benefits by pooling their resources within the SRA. These benefits include a well-managed area, a shared sense of communal pride, enhanced safety measures, and social responsibility. Ultimately, these actions contribute to increasing property values as seen in areas in Stellenbosch with active SRA’s over the past few years.