Activate your community, Take Action
How to partner to secure your community, and the responsibility of Resident Associations
Revenue Opportunities for Residents Associations
Many local community organisations (LCO) and Residents Associations (RA) were born out of crime concerns and have used various models to harness security matters to fund other work including preventing urban decay. Full time dedicated staffing is the most sustainable model that encourages continuity and funding. Various ways to do this:
Model 1 – Chose an existing registered security provider as a recommended supplier in your suburb and attach an extra fee to armed response bills monthly for the RA.
Model 2 – Register a security company and manage as the provider for your HOA or LCO and reinvest profits into the additional actions of the association.
Model 3 – Develop an additional security focused management system and attach a subscription service to fund the work of the RA in parallel to the RA and various community security operators.
Model 4 – Create a voluntary block watch or patroller system with sponsors or donors to fund the activities.
Model 5 – Create a Special Rating Area (SRA) as guided by your municipality’s SRA Policy. 
The red tape and requirements of security initiatives
Private security and their operations are governed and overseen by various legislation. Make sure your provider or registered initiative is compliant with the following:
Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA)
PSiRA Regulations and code of conduct
There are various security organisations you can join that will help you stay up-to-date on industry standards, products and developments in the security industry. It’s not compulsory to join; however, it increases the credibility of your business when you do. Here are a few that might be helpful:
- SASA – Security Association of South Africa
- SASSETA – Safety & Security Sector Education & Training Authority
- SANSEA – South African National Security Employers Association
- SAIDSA – South African Intruder Detection Services Association (specifically for alarm monitoring and armed response services)
- ESDA – Electronic Security Distributors Association (This specifically for electronic security equipment)
Community responsibilities and limitations 
Security companies cannot follow-up on and be proactive about community safety if cases are not reported and have SAPS case numbers. Regardless of how seemingly small an incident may seem, it is important to open cases at your local police station. Connecting suspects to multiple cases can ensure they are prosecuted and resources are allocated proportionally to your precinct.
Freedom of movement and association are enshrined in the constitution. Proactive security and reporting suspicious behaviour are important but stopping, searching, abusing or assaulting individuals because of their appearance is illegal. Reasonable and humane treatment of all people including displaced persons or the unhoused is a responsibility of all security minded organisations.
Security groups have closed platforms that they can report or alert each other to criminal activity or suspects in their footprint. However, the public publishing of suspect images is discouraged as it could compromise criminal cases and add prejudice to any reports.
Monitored License Plate Recognition cameras can be a first alert of suspect vehicles in an area and monitor the progress of suspect cars in or out of a suburb. However, many criminals have the ability to change out plates so full vehicle and detailed suspect descriptions are necessary to apprehend criminals. Pay attention to details such as colour, model and dents or stickers on vehicles and precise clothing or scars on suspects.
Under section 76 of the Summary Offences Act 1953, a person who is the owner or occupier of property, or their agent such as private security employees, may apprehend a person who they find committing an offence on or with respect to that property and deliver them into the custody of police. The police are the only authority that can process or charge an individual. Be careful not to disturb a scene or any implements in the suspects possession. However, these individuals may be armed and dangerous so alerting trained organisations or individuals in strongly recommended.