KEVIN Harvey, the former chairman of the Westville CPF, has stepped down.
New committee members, including the new chairman, Mike Meyers, were elected at the recent AGM.
Myers, a former policeman and co-founder of the Dawncliffe Westville Community Watch (DWCW), was approached by former deputy chairman, Roger Day.
“I left the force in 1987, but crime fighting has always been one of my passions, so when the crime rate spiked in Dawncliffe two and a half years ago, Col André Laatz and myself formed the Dawncliffe Westville Community Watch,” said Myers.
The watch has since grown from five members to a remarkable 80 members who volunteer their time to patrol the community, which incorporates more than 550 homes. “The members’ hard work and dedication has enabled us to essentially cut the crime rate down to almost zero,” said Myers.
As the new chairman, Myers hopes to work hand in hand with the SAPS. “We will support their efforts and focus on creating an environment conducive to effective policing,” said Myers.
According to Myers his experience in the police force has enabled him to understand the mechanics and dynamics behind the policing system, and what can cause it to fail or break down.
“One of the major challenges that the police face are their resources, both in terms of manpower and financial restraints,” said Myers.
The CPF will assist the police by organising fundraising to supply them with the neccessary tools that they require.
“Often the government can’t provide them with the tools, simply because of budget restraints. These chaps are looking after us, the least that we can do is support and assist them, especially if we want them to be able to do their job effectively,” said Myers.
Another important project that the new committee will be pursuing is the establishment of new neighbourhood watch groups. “The idea is to base the structure of the new watches on that of the DWCW, which has proved to be successful. We will train the members and educate them on all the issues pertaining to managing a successful watch.
“We will also inform the volunteer patrollers of certain legal issues that they might not have considered, such as car insurance, life cover and acting within the boundaries of the law,” said Myers.
The Westville CPF and the SAPS serves more than 10 000 homes in Westville, two major shopping centres, a number of reasonable sized shopping centres and a mix of small, medium and large businesses.
