By Kwedu News
Bulawayo is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize crime prevention and detection. The city’s police, in collaboration with the Bulawayo Business against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe and local church groups, has introduced the Smart City Surveillance System.
This innovative system has already shown impressive results in reducing vehicle-related crimes in the Central Business District.
According to Assistant Commissioner Arista Chikowore, a cybercrime expert with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP),
“We are using those capabilities in crime prevention and detection. We also have technical persons who are working on that.” Chikowore emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts, stating that the system’s effectiveness relies on support from the media and the public.
The Smart City Surveillance System uses AI to proactively identify potential crime hotspots and individuals. For instance, if the system detects a previously convicted pedophile, it can alert nearby schools and authorities, preventing potential harm.
Bulawayo has seen an 8% drop in crime from January to September, attributed to strengthened partnerships and AI integration. While armed robbery cases have decreased from 44 to 22, murder cases remain a challenge, increasing from 41 to 51 during the same period.
Chikowore stressed the need for AI capabilities to enhance the surveillance system’s effectiveness. By embracing AI, Bulawayo is pioneering a new era in crime prevention and detection.
“We are using those capabilities in crime prevention and detection. We also have technical persons who are working on that,” he said.
Ass Com Chikowore implored the media and members of the public to support the initiative, noting that the system can achieve greater effectiveness with collaborative efforts. He elaborated on the system’s potential to prevent incidents by proactively identifying individuals and areas that may require police attention.
“A good example is of a paedophile who has been arrested sometime but is not committing an offence at that particular time, but if we identify that person in the system, an alert can be sent to schools that want to employ him or any place he is going. We quickly alert the nearest police station as well as authorities around so that we prevent crime,” he explained.
