Durban Hackathon25 May 2015

Our City,Our Safety,

Our Responsibility

Social Crime Prevention Community Involvement in Safety Crime Prevention Through

Environmental Design Research, Crime Mapping and Analysis

Drugs and homelessness is not unique to the eThekwini Municipality.

It’s a global phenomenon that confronts all developing cities as a result of: ◦ rapid  urbanisation◦ Poverty◦ Unemployment◦ compounded by dysfunctional households,

absent mothers, abuse , lack of accommodation and overcrowding.

illegal occupation of public open spaces and abandoned buildings

damage to infrastructure poorly managed distribution of food by

NGOs begging on streets and at intersections public intimidation the sale of drugs petty crime prostitution

A majority were youth (under the age of 35)

A majority were South African citizens 75 % were school leavers (below grade

12) 1% had a tertiary qualification 24% had matric The ratio of males to females was 4:1

Whoonga is the a popular drug: its cheap, highly addictive and has a dilapidating effect both mentally and physically as it reduces the cognitive ability to think

More than 80% wished to be reunited with their families. Others preferred the street life.

Means of survival: begging from the streets, stealing, soup kitchen, car guarding, cardboard and scrap metal collection, temporary work, taxi conductors, shoe repairs whilst women depend on their partners or resort to prostitution

common skills that exist amongst the respondents: plumbing, carpentry, panel beating, welding, electronics, computer repairs, teaching, hair dressing, performing arts and general labour.

The eThekwini Municipal area suffers a large population of a homeless community.

This, coupled with a high rate of drug users and criminal activity has forced the City to prioritise its intervention strategies in dealing with drugs and its relation to homelessness

This led to the formulation of the Qalakbusha (new beginnings)

Intervention Programme.

Is a social development programme that has been put into place to deal with the drug problem and the resultant homelessness plagued by the City

Outreach and Reception Psychosocial Support and Screening Treatment and Rehabilitation Skills Development, Sports

Development, Life Skills and Entrepreneurial Skills Development

ID registration Reunification and reintegration Shelters and Halfway houses

This intervention strategy requires the holistic approach of a multidisciplinary team comprising: Dept of Social Development, Academia, Health Services, NGO’s, Faith Based Organisations, working in cohesion.

There is no quick fix solution Although this intervention strategy

yields minimal positive results, it is effective and sustainable