About SaferGround
Combining criminology research, technology, and policy to advance community safety.
Who we are
SaferGround is led by Dr Simon Howell, a criminologist with expertise in policing, technology, and drug policy. The practice integrates academic research with technology development to create practical solutions for public safety challenges in South Africa and beyond.
Our approach
We work at the intersection of research, technology, and policy:
- Research Consultancy — Evidence-based analysis of policing, community safety, and drug-market dynamics
- Technology Development — AI-enabled CCTV systems, IoT solutions, and data visualization platforms
- Case Management — Tools and frameworks for incident monitoring and response coordination
Background
Dr Howell holds a PhD in Political Philosophy although he has worked as a criminologist for the last 15 years, having engaged with police services, municipalities, NGOs, and research institutions across Africa. SaferGround projects have included co-producing cannabis policing guidelines with SAPS, developing drug-market mapping platforms for municipalities, and building AI analytics layers for private security control rooms.