The Victoria Park Neighbourhood Watch (VPNW) boasts three members who were awarded for their dedication and tireless efforts in aid of the fight against crime at the City of Cape Town’s annual Neighbourhood Watch Awards.
Somerset West trio George Kruger, Jeano Baartman and Louise Diener were honoured at the event, which was held in the Council Chambers at the Civic Centre on Saturday (18 November). The awards aims to acknowledge the contributions made by the neighbourhood watch fraternity as nominated by communities and watch members.
The award ceremony was preceded by a nomination period, which opened on Monday 11 September and closed on Sunday 8 October (“Nominate your Neighbourhood Watch now for City award,” News24, 15 September 2023).
The Neighbourhood Watch Awards consist of 10 categories – six individual, and four team categories. The local contingent was awarded in two of the six individual categories, with Baartman and Diener sharing the title of Crime Fighter of the Year for their “exceptional, professional and committed service”.
For Baartman and Diener the valued recognition was simply “wow” and regarded as a welcome blessing. “We are truly honoured,” Baartman declared.
The proud Victoria Park resident further shared that walking the beat alongside Diener as her counterpart is how she kick-starts almost every day. “We are out patrolling the streets from 05:00 and enjoy the small pleasures of a quick hoot from residents, who catch us in action and have come to know us as familiar faces,” she said with visible delight.
Diener said the award was a pleasant surprise, which indicates that apart from a few individuals who often make one question one’s contribution to the neighbourhood watch there are community members who actually recognise and truly appreciate one’s efforts. “Sometimes you question why you are watch member and often consider just giving up,” she said. “But then awards like these slap you in the face, and you realise you are making a meaningful difference.”
Much gratitude is expressed for Kruger, who is praised as a good leader looked up to in many ways by her local patroller pack.
He walked away with the title of Neighbourhood Watch Member of the Year “as a member who upholds, with outstanding achievement, the purpose of safeguarding its members and property.” The VPNW stalwart is no newcomer to the annual event, having raked in numerous awards in previous years. This year he received six nominations, all speaking to his care for his community and involvement in a host of incidents and initiatives from coordinating youth programmes, to animal rescues and assisting with flood and fire responses – over and above his primary role of crime prevention patrols.
“The award made my 47th birthday, also celebrated on Saturday, a very special one,” Kruger said. “It was very unexpected, and I am elated by the recognition that proves hard work pays off.”
Kruger said the award simply gives him a renewed vigour and motivation to work even harder as his community’s eyes and ears.
His honour was cited by JP Smith, Mayco Member for Safety and Security, as one of two examples of how neighbourhood watches address a range of issues in their communities. “They still do the active patrols, but they also use their structures for the greater good,” he said. “It also speaks to how the City’s partnership with NWs has evolved. They really are a critical cog in our response to crime, yes, but also disasters and general community matters.
“Neighbourhood Watch members sacrifice a lot for the advancement of their communities. We value the partnerships we have built, and the annual awards ceremony is just a small token of the City’s appreciation. Some of our watches operate under extremely difficult conditions, yet are not deterred, and we applaud their commitment and dedication. I want to encourage communities to join forces with their local Watch and support the good work that is being done.”
