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George Municipality Launches Integrated Operational Centre and 24-Hour Safer City Services

Mayor Ald Browen Johnson cutting Ribbon:
Executive Mayor of George, Ald Brown Johnson, cuts the ribbon to officially open the Integrated Operational Centre on 1 September 2026, marking a major milestone for the municipality’s Safer City Strategy.

George Municipality has officially opened its new Integrated Operational Centre, marking a significant milestone in strengthening public safety, operational coordination and municipal responsiveness across the city. The centre was officially opened by the Executive Mayor of George, Ald Brown Johnson, on 1 September 2026 at the facility on Mitchell Street, George.

Community Safety team:
Members of the Community Safety team gather inside the new facility, which houses the 24-hour Safer City Call Centre and CCTV Command Centre.

Addressing the attendees, which included members of the MMC for Community Safety, Cllr Danie Cronje, the Executive Mayoral Committee, councillors, senior management and municipal officials, Director of Community Safety and Mobility Lee-Anne Meiring said the Integrated Operational Centre brings together technology, information and municipal operational services to strengthen the monitoring and coordination of incidents, improve situational awareness and support the efficient deployment of resources.

Jovial Attendees outside the Integrated Operational Centre:
Municipal officials and dignitaries share a light-hearted moment outside the Integrated Operational Centre after celebrating its official opening.

“The facility houses the Safer City Call Centre, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as a CCTV Command Centre with cameras monitoring areas across George. The centre also supports Municipal Law Enforcement, Traffic Services and Anti-Land Invasion operations, enabling these services to work more closely together in responding to incidents,” Meiring said.

Speaking at the official opening, Mayor Johnson said the centre represents the Municipality’s commitment to smarter governance, stronger coordination and safer communities. “This centre is far more than a building equipped with technology. It is the operational heart of a modern municipality. It is where information becomes action, where incidents are monitored, coordinated and managed, and where municipal safety services come together to ensure that the right resources are dispatched to the right place at the right time,” said Mayor Johnson.

Ald Johnson said the centre is an important milestone in the implementation of George Municipality’s Safer City Strategy, as the Municipality moves beyond planning and strategies towards practical implementation and execution.

“A safer city is created through deliberate investment, visible law enforcement, responsive service delivery, informed decision-making and strong community partnerships. That is exactly what we are building here in George,” said Johnson. “One year ago, we committed to 24/7 Law Enforcement services. On 1 September 2026, we took the next step by officially launching our Integrated Operational Centre — strengthening our ability to monitor, respond and keep our communities safer, around the clock,” he added.

24-Hour Safer City Call Centre Launched

As part of the new operational arrangements, George Municipality has officially launched its 24-hour Safer City Call Centre, providing residents with direct access to municipal services at any time of the day or night.

Residents can report safety-related concerns, suspicious activities, by-law transgressions, traffic-related matters, and other incidents through the following numbers:

Safer City Call Centre:

044 801 6350
044 801 6310
044 801 6389

A dedicated Safer City WhatsApp reporting service has also been introduced on 082 423 5082, providing residents with an additional channel to communicate with the Municipality.

Mayor Johnson with Safer City Call Centre Operators:
Executive Mayor Ald Brown Johnson visits operators at work inside the newly launched 24-hour Safer City Call Centre, which provides residents with direct access to municipal services around the clock.

When submitting a complaint via WhatsApp, residents are required to provide their full name and surname, contact number, a brief description of the incident, the full address or exact location, and any relevant photographs or videos. Once all the required information has been received, the complaint will be logged and a reference number issued.

Residents are reminded that WhatsApp calls and voice notes are not accepted. Complaints must be submitted in writing via WhatsApp text. The WhatsApp service and Safer City Call Centre should not be used for emergencies requiring an immediate response.

For fire emergencies in George, residents should call 044 801 6311, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Toll-Free Disaster Management line, 0800 424 477, is also available 24/7 for disaster-related emergencies. For after-hours municipal emergencies in George, residents can contact 044 801 6300. In Uniondale and Haarlem, residents requiring emergency assistance should contact 044 801 9189.

The Uniondale/Haarlem Fire Service can be reached on 044 752 1225 during operating hours (07:45–16:30), while after-hours emergencies should be reported on 044 801 6300.

Traffic Operations Extended to 24 Hours

The Municipality has also introduced a new 12-hour shift system for Municipal Traffic Services, providing 24-hour traffic law-enforcement coverage across the municipal area.

The new shift system commenced at 06:00 on 1 September 2026 and is intended to strengthen road safety interventions, visible enforcement, incident response and support for broader public safety initiatives throughout the day and night.

Mayor Johnson said the extended operational capacity would contribute to improved road safety, compliance, crime prevention support and overall public safety in George.

The Integrated Operational Centre forms part of the Municipality’s broader approach to strengthening collaboration between municipal services and external stakeholders, including the South African Police Service, Provincial Traffic, Emergency Medical Services, Disaster Management, neighbourhood watches, community organisations, businesses and residents.

Acting Municipal Manager Dr Dean O’Neill thanked Council, municipal officials and all stakeholders involved in establishing the centre, saying the facility demonstrates what can be achieved when there is a shared commitment to strengthening municipal operations and public safety.

“Had Council not had the vision to establish this facility and invest in that vision, this would not have happened. We are already seeing the value of having an integrated operational platform, with several arrests having been made since the centre was established.

“I particularly appreciate the integration and cooperation with the South African Police Service, which is already yielding positive results. This demonstrates that when information, technology and the capabilities of different agencies are brought together, we are better positioned to respond to incidents and improve the safety of our communities,” said Dr O’Neill.

He said the establishment of the centre should be viewed as the beginning of a broader operational journey. “The Integrated Operational Centre is not the destination. It is the platform from which we will continue to strengthen our Safer City operations, improve coordination, and deliver a more responsive service to the residents of George,” Dr O’Neill concluded.

END