EDITOR – We would like to take this opportunity to thank the various members, sponsors and residents that assist and form part of our valuable and effective crime watch project in the Manors, Padfield Park and New Germany areas for their contributions to this project.
In June it was decided that extra monitoring was required for the Tracey Watts Railway line which has been the access and exit point for criminals for some time and has become a major concern for the community. Residents from Tracey Watts, Julia Place, Steere, Manors, Tritoma and Twiggs Roads, Egret and Thrush Lane were canvassed to buy-into the project with a monthly payment to secure a Street Monitor from LV Protection Services.
We are now in a position to action this due to the commitment and cash donations from very generous residents.
Equipped with a 2-way radio and in the near future a cellphone, the street monitor will be the extra eyes and ears to monitor the railway line and will keep in communication with the patrollers and other street monitors that form part of our network.
Special thanks to André Van Der Walt from Machine Moving and Engineering and his wife Marinda for the very kind donation of the “hut” now fondly named the Duck and Dive, Mike Roberts and the committee of Sandown Village for allowing us to use their electricity for the light and plug point at the site, Brendan, of Lightco (Padfield Road resident), who will fund the electrical installation by Jono from Amp’d Electrical Contracting, Bruce Frara, of B. F. Treefelling, for clearing the site and Jean Pierre Geddes for the 2-way radio.
A prime example of the community spirit took place on Sunday 3 November when my husband, Brian, and I were painting the building behind the hut.
After mentioning to Monet and Leonie Slabbert, who stopped by while we were painting, that we would need electrical equipment, a certified electrician, building sand, paving blocks and someone to help clear away the site, Monet sent out an sms to residents.
Within an hour we had donations and offers from so many residents and people stopped by or waved as they passed. We felt honoured to be contributing to our neighbourhood! Our heartfelt thanks go to all who have donated and to whoever erected the sign at the hut. We were blown away!
Beryl Park-Pearson
Pinetown
