AS a resident born and bred in Schauderville and who was once also robbed at a well-known crime spot in this neighbourhood, ward councillor, Andy Jordan, welcomed the recent launch of the area’s neighbourhood watch by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
“There is a certain area in Schauderville that is called the “kampie” (the camp). Although I grew up in this area, I was robbed there once.
“Therefore, I can only give thanks to those who are willing to take to the streets at any time of the day or night to make our neighbourhood a safer place for all,” Jordan said.
He added that appreciation needs to be shown to all stakeholders, including churches, who play a significant role in keeping the ward safe.
“Schauderville is a huge area and I hope that this initiative will also encourage other areas to do the same. We want everyone to form neighbourhood watch groups and street committees.
“I am really very proud of this neighbourhood watch. Any initiative to help fight against crime and where communities are involved, is always welcome.
“I believe that with determination and cooperation with all stakeholders, especially the police, this initiative can be nothing but a success.”
The idea of an official neighbourhood watch came about after the NMBM Speaker’s office received requests from concerned community members that were seeking government support for the recently formed neighbourhood watch committees to patrol in the area to fight crime.
Tired of crime in the area, the teams, comprising mostly young men and women from Schauderville, have taken it upon themselves to work with the police to combat crime in their community following several recent criminal incidents. After the COVID-19 lockdown was put into place with a curfew, front-line workers increasingly became easy targets to criminals who robbed them during the early mornings and late nights.
Jordan also said that although the idea of an official neighbourhood watch was already in the works, the recent murder of a young woman in this area had sped things up.
The mutilated body of Shenice Jonathan (26), mother of a 19-month-old baby, was found in an open field in Thornton Street, Schauderville, two weeks ago. She had been stabbed several times.
This led to hundreds of residents taking to the streets in a peaceful protest against gender-based violence.
Speaker of Council, Buyelwa Mafaya, handed out torches, reflector bibs and whistles to the 55 members to use when they do patrols. They will work on a rotational basis.
“Every day we talk about Gender-Based Violence (GBV). If we are not doing anything and just talk about it then we cannot combat it. As residents, we must work with the police in order to overcome this pandemic of GBV,” Mafaya said.
“Today, as the office of the Speaker, we have seen that if we really want to be effective, we need to come and stand together with you and bring our different (types of) expertise to work together to do more,” she added.
Gelvandale Police Station Commander, Brigadier Lawrence Soekoe, commended the commitment of the residents to deal with crime in Schauderville. “Our police officers will work closely with the committees to ensure the success of the initiative,” he said.
Gelvandale Community Police Forum chairperson, Wayne Jaggers, and school principals in the area, also pledged their support to the cause.
Resident and member of the neighbourhood watch, Gareth van Heerden, said that he joined the patrol team because he wants to encourage the next generation to do the right thing.
“We are so tired of crime in this area. We cannot even sleep peacefully without hearing noises of someone breaking in or being robbed.”
Another resident, Jamilha Mohamud, said that women also had a role to play to combat crime in the area.
“I know that it is unrealistic for us all to patrol the streets, but through our windows we can tell if something mischievous is happening outside and we can report these activities.
“For this to work, there has to be trust between the community and the neighbourhood watch committee,” she added.
Similar projects have also been launched in Zwide and Uitenhage.
