Crime fighting in the Overberg received a welcome boost recently when local neighbourhood watches received 70 bicycles and other kit that will assist them with patrols.
At the recent Western Cape Government (WCG) Cycle Tour handover in the Overberg district in collaboration with the Western Cape Mobility Department, 70 bicycles were handed over to 14 neighbourhood watches (NHWs).
The handover tour took place between 2-4 May in Struisbaai, Bredasdorp, Napier, Caledon, Kleinmond, Hermanus and Stanford.
The beneficiaries included neighbourhood watches in Paddy’s Park, Kleinbegin and Napier in the Cape Agulhas municipality, Bot River Community Watch from Bot River and Kleinmond Street Watch, Proteadorp, Onrus-Vermont, Gansbaai and Patrollie, Kleinbaai, Stanford North, Strandveld Plaaswag, Pearly Beach resort and Uilenskraalsmond, all these places in the Overstrand municipal area.
All NHWs received jackets, while Bot River, Kleinbaai and Strandveld Plaaswag also received their full starter kits. These starter kits consist of torches, water bottles, caps, a NHW flag, whistles, T-shirts, reflector vests, string bags, a storage box and a first-aid kit.
The Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, said: “Ensuring our NHW structures are fully resourced to be effective in their voluntary role is critical. These brave men and women offer up their time and energy to work in their respective communities.
“We have committed to assist them with the relevant and necessary resources, while also capacitating them through training, and providing equipment and support.
“My sincere gratitude goes out to all NHWs, farm watches, community policing forums (CPFs) and all other sectors across the entire Western Cape that are doing their bit to combat crime and create safer communities. By continuing to work together and being strategic in how we implement various safety programmes we can and will overcome crime, so we all can live in improved, safer and dignified areas.”
