Digital co-creation of public safety knowledge in Cape Town: multi-stakeholders and civil society-led empowerment

Abstract

Purpose This study investigates how civil society and multi-stakeholder networks in Cape Town leverage digital tools to co-create public safety knowledge and improve crime-prevention practices. It aims to uncover the mechanisms through which civil society actors, community organisations, neighbourhood watches, private security firms, policing forums and residents collectively deploy digital platforms to enhance information sharing and mutual learning. Design/methodology/approach We conducted 26 in-depth interviews in 2023 with representatives of diverse stakeholder groups active in Cape Town's public safety ecosystem. Interview transcripts were analysed using Atlas.ti for inductive content analysis. Open and axial coding allows us to identify emergent themes around self-organised digital solutions and evolving regulatory frameworks. Findings Grassroots civil society actors drive a digital shift by adopting low-barrier technologies, such as collaborative messaging apps and shared camera-control rooms, that break down silos and accelerate the sharing of real-time insights. Multi-stakeholders report enhanced responsiveness and coordination. Simultaneously, policymakers have introduced updated data protection rules, drone licensing requirements and clarified intellectual property regulations to strike a balance between innovation, privacy, legality and accountability. Research limitations/implications The study's single-city focus and reliance on experts' interview data may limit generalisability. Future research should incorporate comparative case studies across multiple urban contexts and integrate quantitative measures of safety outcomes to validate and extend these findings. Practical implications Our findings offer actionable guidance for municipal authorities, regulators and civil society organisations on designing inclusive, human-centred digital frameworks. Prioritising low-barrier technologies and establishing clear, flexible regulatory pathways can enhance multi-stakeholder collaboration and accelerate operational effectiveness in crime prevention. Social implications Digitally empowered networks function as “social glue,” fostering community cohesion and empowering marginalised groups to participate in public safety governance. By breaking down traditional barriers to information sharing, these digital collaborations strengthen social resilience during periods of crisis and chronic insecurity. Originality/value This is one of the few in-depth qualitative studies to examine civil society–led digital co-creation of public safety knowledge in Cape Town. It uniquely integrates perspectives on grassroots empowerment, technology adoption and regulatory oversight, providing novel insights for scholars and practitioners seeking to harness civil society's agility in crisis governance.