Thursday, 7 June, 2007

In a bid to help in the fight against crime Talk Radio 702 and morning show host, John Robbie, today handed over 65 ID Tool machines to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The ID Tool machine is a small mobile fingerprint identification device currently being used by the SAPS to identify wanted suspects and criminals. By placing a suspect's finger on a tiny touch pad, police can find out if they are wanted for any crime, be it drunk-driving or murder, in a matter of seconds.

Each device is linked to the central national data-base located at the National Office in Pretoria, which contains data regarding all wanted criminals in South Africa. Already, scores of people have been arrested thanks to the ID Tool machine.

At the moment about 400 police stations across South Africa are equipped with these machines. However, at a retail cost of R45 000 each, a number of stations cannot afford to purchase an ID tool machine.

John Robbie recently made an on-air appeal to listeners to pledge towards these ID Tool machines. The machines' retailer, Face Technology, also came on board, cutting the price of the machines down to cost, which enabled companies who had originally pledged enough money for one machine to purchase two. In the end enough money was raised to purchase 65 machines.

"702 listeners want to help and get involved in tackling crime as opposed to just protesting or moaning about crime. Those days are past; we need to all work together," said Robbie. "Thank you to everyone who donated an ID Tool machine. By doing this you have made a difference, and are doing something positive by helping the police in the fight against crime."

"We are proud to be involved in a crime initiative that will not only benefit the police, but also improve the safety of all of our listeners," added Talk Radio 702 station manager, Pheladi Gwangwa. "We as a station will continue to be pro-actively involved in the fight against crime."

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