Goodwood residents are being encouraged to join their local neighbourhood watch organisations and in doing so, help fight crime.
The Goodwood Community Policing Forum (CPF) recently launched four new neighbourhood watches in the area – these include the Townsend Estate, Richmond Estate, Goodwood Estate and Vasco Estate Neighbourhood Watches.
Abdallah Sydney, CPF chair, said they have taken a major step forward in strengthening community safety with the launch of the newly established neighbourhood watch structures. “These groups, initiated in partnership with the CPF and the police, aim to improve visibility, enhance communication, and bring neighbours together in the fight against crime,” he said.
To ensure focused, community-driven safety initiatives, the Goodwood area has been divided into four sector-based neighbourhood watches, each representing a specific geographic zone, he said. “All four neighbourhood watches will cover the area stretching from Frans Conradie Drive up to the railway line at Station Road, ensuring full coverage across the broader Goodwood area.”
The new chairpersons for each one of the neighbourhood watches are Mathew Marais (Townsend Estate), Sally Venter (Goodwood Estate), Vincent Lavange (Vasco Estate) and Cheryl Mostert (Richmond Estate).
Townsend Estate covers Jakes Gerwel Drive to Alice Street; Goodwood Estate covers Alice Street to Riebeek Street; Vasco Estate covers Riebeek Street to Paarl Street and Richmond Estate covers Paarl Street to Giel Basson Drive.
“These groups will work closely with the CPF, police and local security partners to improve neighbourhood safety through patrols, information sharing, and coordinated community action.”
Sydney said the CPF is calling on all residents, homeowners, tenants, and business owners, to take part in building a safer Goodwood.
“Joining your sector’s neighbourhood watch, does not require any prior experience, only a willingness to work with others, stay informed, and contribute to the well-being of the area,” said Sydney. Community safety is everyone’s responsibility, he added.
“The more residents who get involved, the stronger and safer our neighbourhood become.”
Residents who would like to sign-up, volunteer as patrollers, or simply receive updates from their sector’s neighbourhood watch, can contact the chairperson for the area.
Call Townsend Estate (Mathew Marais, 072 058 2832), Goodwood Estate (Sally Venter, 072 363 7561), Vasco Estate (Vincent Lavagne, 083 703 5929) and Richmond Estate (Cheryl Moster, 072 018 4570).
