On Monday, the City of Cape Town showcased Eye-in-the-Sky, its newest crime-fighting weapon.
The aerial surveillance technology, or information, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) technology, is used to combat gang incidents and poaching, locate stolen vehicles, monitor vegetation fires and gather information on other criminal activities.
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The Eye-in-the-Sky is a two-seater piloted aircraft (a Cessna 337) fitted with state-of-the-art cameras which provide high-definition aerial imagery for smarter policing operations. Its infrared cameras allow it to register the heat from a recently fired firearm, detect body heat in cold water or even the wheels of a speeding vehicle.
It can also fly higher than a drone.
During the demonstration, which featured a staged search, rescue and car chase scenario, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said he was impressed by the technology’s crime-fighting ability.
‘[This] will give the edge to our 1 300 new officers we have deployed via the LEAP partnership between the Western Cape Government and City.’
‘This morning’s demonstration showed how the City is able to carry out a search, rescue, and chase operation using integrated technology, from aerial surveillance to bodycams on officers, and licence-plate recognition cameras along highways,’ he adds.
‘This is a big step towards smarter policing, where technology is better utilised.’
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Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the City will invest R610 million into various ‘safety tech’ over the next three years, following a R200 million investment in the current financial year.
‘Welcome to the future of crime fighting in Cape Town! I can’t wait to see this Eye-in-the-sky technology in use alongside the other tech we are investing in, including drones, dashcams, bodycams, gunshot detection, licence-plate recognition cameras, and EPIC – the master digital coordination systems for all City crime prevention.’
‘But crucially, all of our investments cannot substitute for a well-functioning police service. That’s why we have to also keep fighting for the devolution of more policing powers, especially the power for our officers to investigate crime,’ Hill-Lewis added.
JP Smith, the City’s Mayco member for safety and security, says the ISR technology can cover large geographical areas, stay in the air longer during reconnaissance flights and is less weather-dependent than drones.
‘Recently on 30 April, the City’s Eye-in-the-Sky closely recorded poachers in Hout Bay from kilometres away, enabling a raid on the startled criminals at their residence nearby. Over 3 000 crayfish and a high-powered boat [were] seized, with the entire crime documented for prosecution.’
‘We are excited about the prospects of this secret weapon, especially in combatting drug dealing, gun violence and gang activity. The aircraft will also assist with improving rapid response time by officers during planned operations as precise information can be relayed.’
Additionally, the City plans to use the technology to help in other areas, including monitoring high-voltage lines, vandalism of critical infrastructure and biodiversity-related issues.
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“Eye in the sky”: drone finds trapped hikers, Table Mountain
Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook
