The aim of the appeal is not to gain more group members, but rather to attract more residents to join patrols in their respective residential areas to combat crime.

The groups are saturated with residents who are quick to report crimes, but uninvolved with actively combating crime.

The Noodroep radio-group of Kanonkop and Dennesig issued an appeal for more public involvement, after which it was also shared on Community Policing Forum (CPF) groups.

According to the CPF chairperson Juanitha Groenewald, more crime can be expected during the winter months, “Even patrolling your own street can make a difference.”

But there’s been a steep decline in memberships of suburban radio groups, despite there being proof that crime is significantly reduced when communities are directly involved with prevention strategies.

Kanonkop and Dennesig have been a particular crime hotspot over the past two months with gate motor and vehicle tyre thefts, Groenewald said.

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She added that the CPF had fostered close bonds with the majority of radio groups, where profit and income are not the driving force behind the establishment of the group.

“It doesn’t matter what group you belong to, as long as you get involved,” Groenewald said.

She said the CPF works closely with all groups, and CPF members respond to all mayday emergency calls, while the respective groups also respond to CPF emergency maydays.

The CPF also has sectors and sub-sectors throughout the entire Middelburg, including outside towns like Hendrina.
Many radio group members are also part of the CPF.

Almost all the groups, including the CPF, use their own money and resources, like vehicles, to combat crime.
They also sacrifice time with their families, as well as sleep, to keep residents safe.

“People have become too reliant on volunteers,” Groenewald explained, adding that many have left their respective groups because of growing involvement.
The groups grow, with more people reporting suspicious activities, while only a handful of active responders go out to assist.

Crime has meanwhile shown a slight decrease in Kanonkop and Dennesig since the CPF and the Noodroep group intensified patrols.

“We can and need to do more,” Groenewald said.

She said there’s been a definite uptick in tyre and gate motor thefts, as well as caravan break-ins.

To combat this, she said companies must invest in lock-nuts for vehicles, while homeowners must seek interventions to make their gate motors less accessible,

“We’ve seen gate motors being stolen in less than 20 seconds.”

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According to Groenewald, the CPF has also recently seen an increase in drug activity around Laerskool Middelburg, due to parents handing out food, clothes and other items to beggars around the school.

“The vagrants flock there during drop-off and pickup runs because people give them money and food, which they use to buy drugs that we’ve heard they inject in front of children.”

She urged residents to stop plying vagrants with money and things that they can sell for drugs.

• In the public appeal for increased support, a number of streets were highlighted where thefts occurred over the last three weeks.

The streets highlighted are Oribi, Karee, Lilian Ngoyi, Springbok, Bandolier, Bokmakierie, Koos De La Rey, Buller, Danie Theron, Melrose, Verkenner, Leyds and Hibiscus. A map marked in red also accompanied the appeal.

• Residents who want to become more involved can contact Groenewald on 072 386 9949 or Tiny Louw of the Kanonkop/Dennesig Noodroep group on 071 227 5491.