Tarsus Technologies has thrown its weight behind the crime prevention initiative, eBlockwatch, and is urging other South African companies to follow its example.
eBlockwatch is a crime prevention agency, formed to unite South Africans from poor communities and wealthier suburbs in the war against crime.
The organisation is creating a network of members throughout SA, linked into a central database monitoring information on crime and criminals. Members communicate via a main call centre using SMSs and e-mails so that they are kept informed of crime risks in their suburbs at all times.
eBlockwatch members - households and businesses in wealthy suburbs - pay a R110 monthly membership fee that is used to finance monthly projects in impoverished areas and SMS crime alerts.
Coordinators in impoverished areas, also known as Mammas, build up a network of supporters who are able to gather information about and influence the behaviour of criminal networks. Mammas also keep an eye out for stolen goods and provide safe havens for members of the community who need help.
When a crime is committed against an eBlockwatch member, deductions are made from donations to the impoverished community. This provides Mammas and their networks with a strong message to give criminals: that stealing from eBlockwatch members is also stealing from their own communities. Tarsus has sponsored 100 signs for Mammas` safehouses. These 1m by 1m boards are erected in township areas near schools, old age homes and other community centres.
eBlockwatch wants to create a network so large that very little crime activity can take place without a witness. It links up security cells already in existence to make a unified and organised attack on criminals in SA.
"This project has created a symbiotic relationship between the poorer and wealthier members of our agency, something that has helped to create mutual awareness of the problems that South Africans on either side of the wealth divide face," says Andre Snyman, founder of eBlockwatch.
"Tarsus was attracted to this project because it offers a positive way of addressing the twin problems of crime and poverty, in the process helping to create understanding between the country`s underprivileged and wealthier communities. We appeal to other South African companies to get involved in this project - any small contributions will help," says Tarsus managing director, Guy Whitcroft.
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Tarsus Technologies, the value-add distribution arm of MB Technologies, is rated by suppliers and channel partners as SA`s leading hardware distributor for its stability, service ethos, product knowledge, excellent support, competitive pricing strategies and channel focus.
Distributing a wide range of products from the world`s leading manufacturers, including Acer, APC, HP, IBM, OKI, Samsung and Tally, and supplementing this range with its own brand - the Tarsus PC - Tarsus focuses strongly on long-lasting partnerships with its suppliers and resellers. In line with this philosophy, Tarsus provides a comprehensive range of services to its resellers that enables them to add value to their own offering, and assists them in growing their business.
It is this service offering that has afforded Tarsus a number of channel accolades. The latest include: Channel Executive Awards - 2002; Best Distributor Overall - 2002; Compaq`s "BDG Distributor of the Year" award - 2001 and CRN Outlook Awards - 2002.
More information about Tarsus is available at http://www.tarsus.co.za.
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