The Strand Neighbourhood Watch (SNW) received a message of solidarity, support and accessibility from the Western Cape MEC for Community Safety and Police Oversight, Reagen Allen, at a SNW monthly patrol meeting held at the SNW hall in Masonic Street, Strand, last Thursday evening (29 February).
A guest speaker at the meeting, he commended the work and effectiveness of the SNW, calling them “well organised’ and was impressed by the number of members and active patrollers as well as their social and outreach programmes, which he mentioned was vital to building communities.
Allen also emphasised that the department was working in a supporting role to strengthen relationships and demand accountability throughout the police and justice system, visiting stakeholders such as neighbourhood watches and community police forums (CPF) to strengthen relationships and show support.
“Ideally we want our ministry to remain accessible,” he said, “and we will assist and help wherever we can. We also urge you to flag matters of police or justice inefficiency. We can only build safer communities together which will impact generations to come.”
Allen also spoke of various challenges within the wider aspect of addressing community safety and assured that every citizen working towards the benefit of society makes a difference every day.
At the meeting crime stats for the Strand area were also shared for the month of February and showed notable incidents of common assault, theft from property, theft from a motor vehicle as well as theft of cars, particularly along Beach Road and Sarel Cilliers Street.
Law Enforcement officer Rowan Ferreira also provided a short presentation on their successes, which included addressing fire risks, the issue of vagrancy and recovery of illegal weapons and breaking-in tools.
