Goodwood residents are urged to join the local neighbourhood watch and form part of the 2022 patrollers.
A neighbourhood watch programme, the Goodwood Ratepayers and Residents Association (GRRA) says, is a group of people living in the same area who want to make their community safer by working together and in conjunction with local law enforcement to reduce crime and improve their quality of life.
“This is opposed to any other informal structures where anybody can join without being vetted by the police and where private and important information can fall into the hands of unscrupulous people,” GRRA chair Faizel Petersen says.
“It is important for residents to join the neighbourhood watch because it would be easier to identify and document safety concerns within communities.
“Neighbourhood watches also encourage and empower citizens to participate in preventing crime as well as reduces the risk of becoming a victim of crime. Being part of the programme stimulates safety awareness, fosters an environment of community spirit and raises your awareness of what to do to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
Furthermore, he says accredited neighbourhood watch groups get access to some training like first aid Level 1, basic firefighting, managing conflict and mediation, among others. They also foster a working relationship with local police to prevent and combat crime.
“All of this give one easier access to the police and officials that can assist the community; you have the backup of the armed response companies in the area when out on patrols.”
He further says patrollers will be notified of crime trends and preventative measures.
“You will have no vigilantism that will put you and your family at risk of retaliation without proper backup, support and protection of the official security structures.”
Interested residents can contact their respective neighbourhood watches in Glenwood, Goodwood and Tygerdal.
“An application form will be sent via Whatsapp, email or can be collected. After the form has been filled in, they should be returned together with a copy of the resident’s identity document.”
Step two of the application entails a fingerprinting form being given to the resident which they must fill in before an appointment to have fingerprints taken can be made at the police station.
“Once the form has been completed, the participant will need to call the police station to make an appointment to have their fingerprints taken. They would need to indicate whether they want this done during or after office hours.”
Appointments will depend on the availability of the station and only the neighbourhood watch can facilitate these appointments. After an appointment has been scheduled, the participant should take the completed form together with two copies of their ID to the police station.
“The neighbourhood watch will be notified once the participant has been officially vetted, this can take between one and three months.”
Once this has been successfully done, the final step that follows is the orientation.
The new recruit will be taken through the patroller guide and neighbourhood watch code of conduct.
“This details what you should and should not do as the neighbourhood watch works within the boundaries of the law. You will be handed a copy of the document and be orientated on the constitution so that you can familiarise yourself with the regulations and rules laid down by the community safety department. You will be given your magnets, lights, torch and bib. You will also be matched up with an experienced patroller to learn about your new role.”
For more information, contact Glenwood Neighbourhood Watch on 060 437 5937, Goodwood Neighbourhood Watch on 066 588 2643 or Tygerdal Neighbourhood Watch on 084 386 2081.
