IN a bid to curb gangsterism, drug abuse and robberies in Jeffreys Bay, Ward Councillor Robbie Dennis, together with the support of the community, recently established three neighbourhood watch groups in various areas in Ward 2.
According to Dennis, the safety and crime in his ward was critical, due to gangsterism, drugs and frequent robberies.
He said it was therefore vital for the community to establish a neighbourhood watch group to get residents involved in the fight against crime, which he believed was the only way crime could be contained, or prevented, in the area.
“The neighbourhood watch group would place the community at the centre of fighting crime in the area,” said Dennis.
He said neighbourhood watch groups had therefore been established in areas such as Bo and Onder Blok, Hungry Park and 220 New Area.
In addition to the three new neighbourhood watch groups, a group was also established in Tokyo Sexwale, three years ago.
“The community has been keen to get involved and has already established four neighbourhood watch groups in various sections in Ward 2,” said Dennis.
“The objective of the neighbourhood watch is to create crime-free areas in our ward, where the community, especially women and children, can walk safely.”
The chairpersons responsible for the various areas are Leonard Perils in Bo and Onder Blok, Paulus Smith in Hungry Park, Mervyn Barendse in 220 New Area and Makhaya Mooi in Tokyo Sexwale.
Fortunately, Dennis said, the neighbourhood watch had a good working relationship with the local South African Police Service and he hoped that their relationship, with all the various sectors within the police, would strengthen.
In addition to keeping the community safe, Dennis said the neighbourhood watch group had also managed to establish various clean-up projects in the area to beautify their community.
According to police spokesperson, Sergeant Majola Nkohli, the objective of the neighbourhood watch was to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by implementing certain safety protocols.
Nkohli further said the aim is for the neighbourhood watch group to partner with the SAPS in spearheading pertinent crime prevention initiatives.
“Neighbourhood watch is one of many ways the community could get involved in policing, such as community police forums, sector crime forums, community patrol groups and street committees, including reservists,” said Nkohli.
He said the community structures had guidelines and blueprints on how to work with the SAPS, and in some instances the Department of Safety and Liaison provided in-service training for the new incumbents, to help them understand their duties.
“The SAPS is aware about the new neighbourhood watch structure that was established in Pellsrus and will very soon interact with the station commander of Jeffreys Bay, so as to formulate a memorandum of understanding,” said Nkohli.
“This exercise is very important so that people can clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. We also encourage residents to partake in similar structures, as the SAPS would not be able to combat crime without community involvement.”
