Transcript Durban Hackathon 25 May 2015

Durban Hackathon
25 May 2015
Our City,
Our Safety,
Our Responsibility
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Social Crime Prevention
Community Involvement in Safety
Crime Prevention Through Environmental
Design
Research, Crime Mapping and Analysis
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Drugs and homelessness is not unique to the
eThekwini Municipality.
It’s a global phenomenon that confronts all
developing cities as a result of:
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rapid urbanisation
Poverty
Unemployment
compounded by dysfunctional households, absent
mothers, abuse , lack of accommodation and
overcrowding.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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