DURING COVID-19 lockdown level 5, a small group of residents from De Mist in Uitenhage started a WhatsApp group to keep an eye on their neighbourhood.
The original group consisted of residents Douglas Bonthuys, Bernadette Bonthuys, Zennette Bouwer and Lynette Greeff.
It soon proved to be effective and more residents requested to join the group. Today, more than 70 residents are part of the group – spontaneously referred to as “Crime Busters” – with daily requests from more people wishing to join.
The aim of the WhatsApp group is to stop crime in the area, to make it a safe area again, to care for one another, the elderly and children in the neighbourhood and to support each other in cases of emergency or wherever there is need.
According to Gary Hendricks, a resident from De Mist, the group is very effective and since it started, there definitely is a decline in crime. Even residents from the neighbouring Dr Braun are now also part of the group.
Clean-up this Saturday
The group expanded its services to also from now on, once a month, get-together to clean identified hot spot areas where illegal dumping takes place.
The first clean-up project will be on Saturday, November 28 at the play park in Single Oak Avenue, the small park close to Conradie Street as well as the open area next to the railway opposite the water canal.
All interested residents are invited to participate, but to please adhere to all COVID-19 protocol.
“We wish through our commitment – to take back our neighbourhood and re-establish it as a safe and family friendly environment. Also to inspire others to do the same.
“We cannot depend on authorities.
“Residents have to take ownership of their areas. The more we achieve turnaround, the more this town will become what we once were proud of,” said Hendricks.
- For more information contact Gary Hendricks on 076 501 5590.– HEILIE COMBRINCK
