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​​Safety and security
As local government, the City takes direct responsibility for issues of safety and security and is assisting the SA Police Services (SAPS) in its efforts to reduce crime and improve safety in Joburg. The integrated multi-agency strategy, implemented since 2004, embraces crime prevention as well as urban management and monitoring service delivery.

Collaboration with both national and provincial authorities, as well as the private sector and communities, is bearing fruit, as all stakeholders work together towards a safer Joburg and SA.

The City has invested in a CCTV infrastructure in the Inner City, including a round-the-clock operational control centre. This provides surveillance, as well as valuable assistance for urban management, traffic management and service delivery breakdowns. The Inner City’s integrated safety and security plan also involves visible policing and law enforcement.

Joburg’s suburbs are well serviced by private security companies. Private business initiatives have also formed close partnerships with the various law enforcement agencies at local level. These have resulted in successful projects such as City Improvement Districts. Business Against Crime works closely with the Justice Department and SAPS, making tangible efforts to improve the management of, and responses to, safety and security.

The City is also focusing its efforts on improving its response and planning with regard to emergency management services and ensuring that there is a robust and constant focus on updating its disaster management plan, through its dedicated Emergency Services Management department. Communities are part of the education programme to ensure effective response to potential disasters.

The work undertaken by Joburg as a host city for FIFA World Cup 2010 set up an important benchmark and enabled a blueprint for joint planning between the City’s safety and security, health and transport units for major events post 2010.