THE Glenwood and surrounding community is invited to join the Glenwood Community Watch and support its work in trying to reduce crime in the neighbourhood with the assistance of Glenwood residents, security companies and Umbilo SAPS.
This close knit working relationship seems to be paying off. The GCW, along with the other security groups and residents have successfully apprehended three suspects who were arrested over the last two months.
Guy Perrins, Chairman of GCW says it is largely due to the neighbourhood and security communication network systems the GCW have put in place over the last few years.
“We have 40 active patrol members and about 900 residents on our Crime Awareness WhatsApp groups. The residents post or call GCW immediately when the crime is occurring, even in the middle of the night. GCW then alert their members, residents on the crime WhatsApp, Umbilo SAPS and neighbouring Community Watches. The residents are then able to give information as to the location of the suspect as the suspect is moving through our area,” he explained.
As a recent example, Perrins said a suspect was successfully arrested after he had stolen a laptop and other items from a property in Ormiston Place. He was eventually apprehended on the corner of Nicholson and Binns. The “chase” took over an hour as the suspect fenced hopped over a number of Glenwood properties. “The residents were continually posting his location onto GCW’s WhatsApp group, and this information was immediately radioed to our members and in turn given to SAPS and the security companies who locked down the area around these properties,” Perrins added.
“With the community, SAPS, Metro police and security companies working together,” Perrins said, “the GCW can only grow from strength to strength and successfully deal with this scourge that blights all communities.”
GCW’s patrol sector extends from Rick Turner (Francois) Road to Alan Paton (MacDonald) Road, and King George / South Ridge Road to Umbilo Road. Perrins encouraged all residents to join the GCW mailing list or WhatsApp groups, whether in the GCW footprint or neighbouring sectors. To join WhatsApp, sms or email your name, address, cell number and email address to 0766659144 or sector2communitywatch@live.co.za
“If you live within our sector and would like to join our patrollers please drop us a mail or WhatsApp as we are always looking for new members,” said Perrins.
