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Below is a note I received from <http://www.eblockwatch.co.za>. Unlike the Minneapolis example <http://www.mail-archive.com/do-wire@;tc.umn.edu/msg00469.html>, this appears to be a more commercial effort. Their integration of e-mail and SMS looks to be quite innovative. Will their economics work? Don't know, but this is something to watch. One similar project doing "public work" privately which has gathered significant corporate support and government involvement is Earth911 <http://www.earth911.org>. As I understand it, it is a "public service," but not a legal non-profit. Note that lots of governments enter information into this distributed system <http://www.earth911.org/public.asp> (what's I think FirstGov should allow for all governments across the U.S.). Steven Clift Democracies Online Newswire From: http://www.eblockwatch.co.za/index_levelpages.html EBLOCKWATCH MISSION STATEMENT • eBlockwatch is creating a network of members throughout South Africa, who can communicate via a central call centre using SMS's and Emails to alert members of criminal activities taking place in their immediate vicinity. • eBlockwatch wants to create a network so large that very little criminal activity can take place without a witness. • eBlockwatch wants to link security cells already in existence making a unified and organized attack on criminals in South Africa. • eBlockwatch believes that by warning members of impending danger it takes away the element of surprise that a criminal needs to be successful. • eBlockwatch believes that by creating a network of members, it will create a united front and this will intimidate criminals. • eBlockwatch believes creating a network of members increases the chances of catching the criminal. • eBlockwatch believes that the Government does not have the power to reduce crime without the total involvement of the community. • eBlockwatch believes that no war, rugby match, campaign has ever been won without a communication. Maybe the bokke also need eBlockwatch. Please fill in every incident reported on the web site - this contributes to the official database of criminals and crime committed. Remember, the more information you give when reporting an incident, the more chance there is of the culprit being caught. ------- Forwarded message follows ------- From: Andre Snyman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date sent: Tue, 05 Nov 2002 17:21:04 +0200 Subject: eblockwatch eblockwatch. You like a tame Impala in the Kruger Park, without it! Get street wise. A crime prevention project networking regions and industries together using sms messages and emails to forewarn each other of impending dangers. This project has netted a few hijackers, murderers and retrieved hijacked goods. What kind of alerts has been sent out? 1. “Beware of hijackers at schools in your area hijacking ladies waiting for their kids.” 2. “Beware of white Toyota black windows hijacking at driveways in Bryanston between 6-10 pm “ 3. 'Four filling stations targeted in Pretoria by Green Nissan Bakkie with white canopy.” 4. 'Computer thief smarty dressed Indian Man walking into hotels and stealing laptops in Sandton” 5. 'Strange man lurking outside girls hostel in Brooklyn” 6. 'Truck load of tyres hijacked at Stormvoel off ramp now 4pm. Maxiprest truck” 7. 'Man posing as Telkom tech driving Blue Honda attacking ladies in their home in Sunnyside” 8. etc.etc. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS REGISTER. DO IT NOW. www.eblockwatch.co.za. How it works. 1. You register on our website www.eblockwatch.co.za sponsored by Dimension Data, and you automatically become a member. FREE 2. Eblockwatch has a call centre sponsored by Exact Mobile who receive crime alerts from eblockwatch members throughout South Africa.(So you are now looked after by every one in the country) 3. Nedcor Forensic Protection Services capture the data and create a profile of the incident. Their computers analyze the data and inform eblockwatch call centre of any similar criminal activates that have taken place, where when and by whom. 4. Eblockwatch sends out crime alerts by email and sms's (sms's cost money so you buy those from exact mobile, if you wish, but emails are free)to the area or industry affected by the incident. 5. All members in the Town or suburb and members of the Industry in the Province will be alerted and can the take precautions. 6. Crime fighters in the effected area are put on red alert. Which area and industry are we targeting first and why? 1. Fuel Industry-All cars used or stolen end up at a filling station. 2. Transport Companies.-They are vulnerable and also help establish a network on our roads. 3. Banks- They have the most up to date computer technology, security networks and information systems. 4. Pretoria – Most of eblockwatch members and active crime fighters are registered in this area. Police, Flying squad, security companies. 5. Tollgates- Fast foods , Supermarkets ,Tyre Dealers ,etc. 6. Pretoria – We are looking after the Embassies to help create a positive image to the rest of the world. 7. Tourism-Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, Lodges to keep our guest Safe. Who are involved? 1. The South African Police. 2. The Nedcor Forensic Protection Services. (Investigating all bank and ATM robberies.) 3. Exact Mobile handling all SMS'S and call centre. 4. Dimension Data, IS Solutions supplying the server and hardware. 5. Security companies and sections of the SAPS Flying squad. 6. Over 9000 eblockwatch members through out South Africa. ------- End of forwarded message ------- ^ ^ ^ ^ Steven L. Clift - W: http://www.publicus.net Minneapolis - - - E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Minnesota - - - - - T: +1.612.822.8667 USA - - - - - - - ICQ: 13789183 *** Past Messages, Discussion http://e-democracy.org/do *** *** To subscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** *** Message body: SUB DO-WIRE *** *** To UNSUBSCRIBE instead, write: UNSUB DO-WIRE *** *** Please forward this post to others and encourage *** *** them to subscribe to the free DO-WIRE service. *** *** Please send submissions to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
