Farmall Ratepayers launch domestic watch
FARMALL - Farmall Ratepayers Association alongside Douglasdale Sector 2 police has launched a Whatsapp group for domestic workers and gardeners to report crime concerns to police.
The group was launched at a meeting on 10 September, where residents, employees, police and security company RSS gathered to share safety tips and raise concerns.
“Please, let’s fight this together. You are victims and we are victims,” urged Wendy Lester of the Farmall Ratepayers Association.
“If we can just catch one crook, it’ll be better for us all,” she added.
The Whatsapp group will provide a platform to inform police of security threats. The association also has a dedicated telephone line to receive information. Lester said employees could send a ‘please call me’ to save airtime.
In response to employees’ concerns, police and RSS undertook to combat the proliferation of attacks in hotspots along the river, Malibongwe Drive and Cosmo Business Park, with extra patrols in the mornings and evenings, when gardeners and domestic workers walk to and from work.
Michael Boshoff of RSS advised employees to reduce their vulnerability by avoiding walking alone, or carrying their entire salary home at month-end.
Constable Petrus Kwalate of Douglasdale police urged employees to report attacks, allowing police to address problems. He advised his listeners not to allow suspicious people onto the properties where they work without confirming their identities, and not to walk to the bank alone on payday, but to travel in groups to avoid becoming a target for criminals.
Addressing a separate safety issue, RSS paramedic Pierre van der Berg warned those present to be alert to the danger of drowning as summer approaches. Be aware of children’s whereabouts at all times, and if you are not a strong swimmer, do not jump into the water after someone who has fallen in, Van der Berg advised.
Farmall Ratepayers Association intends to address employees’ problems as well as improving safety for residents, Lester promised, urging those present to spread the word.
“The more eyes the better,” she concluded.
Details: Farmall crimeline 062 311 3569; Douglasdale Sector 2 police vehicles 071 675 7152 or 071 675 7153
