LETTERS: Tackle crime head on

Statistics show that belonging to a neighbourhood watch scheme significantly reduces the possibility of becoming a victim of crime. Empowering and encouraging people to be prompt in reporting suspicious activity will help reduce vulnerability, decrease the opportunities for crime and demonstrate to potential criminals that they are in a security-conscious area.
Our neighbourhoods have evolved. Nowadays people trap themselves in their homes. They build high security fences, arm their alarms and isolate themselves from society. We live in a world where we only go next door to complain or to get the neighbour to agree to the costs of mending a fence.
Because we have become so isolated we rarely communicate face-to-face with our neighbours. We become more and more reliant on the dissemination of information via social media platforms that often end up broadcasting old and/or inaccurate information. This only compounds the fear of crime and the state of apathy. Neighbourhood watch schemes bring community spirit back into neighbourhoods.
Salt Rock Neighbourhood Watch members have the opportunity to attend monthly meetings to discuss local issues with neighbourhood police officers, security companies and other Neighbourhood Watch members. This allows for all to express their concerns and exchange information freely.
These meetings also provide access to up-to-date crime prevention information to protect you, your family and your community. More importantly, it gives people the opportunity to get to know and help each other and helps provide a strong voice when action is necessary to solve a local problem.
The following questions are often asked and we have endeavoured to answer some of these based on our experience and research.
Why do we have crime?
• A combination of South Africa’s armed struggle, violent subcultures and significant level of gang activity
• Inequality, poverty, unemployment, social exclusion and marginalization
• Vulnerability of young people linked to inadequate child rearing and poor parental control
• High levels of drug abuse
What factors further compound the levels and effects of crime?
• Significant shortage of police resources
• Community apathy
• Fear of crime
• Dissemination of inaccurate information, especially through social media
• Growth/expansion of area
• Lack of support and unified direction
• Fragmented groups
When one looks at the direct causes of crime it is apparent that they are far reaching. The resources and capabilities required to address all the respective areas of concern adequately seem almost insurmountable. But how does one eat an elephant? Bite by bite.
As a neighbourhood watch we are tackling the issues of crime in our community one bite at time. Unfortunately our single greatest barrier is public apathy. When residents don’t care, or fail to become involved in keeping their neighbourhoods clean and safe, crime flourishes.
We actually need to become involved if we want to see a change. There are pro-active and effective individuals out there who are in fact making a difference, but we need to become more unified in our approach. Fragmented groups of individuals are often duplicating efforts unnecessarily.
Sadly, finding dedicated volunteers who offer their time to serve on the committee to co-ordinate and effect this mandate is a constant struggle and we would like to appeal to the community to not only join the watch but also so volunteer their time to serve on the committee.
Unfortunately most people think that it is the responsibility of the police alone to protect their life and property, or that alarms and burglar bars are sufficient to keep them safe. It is by acting together that we can make a difference.
Contact us now to find out more about what we do or join us at the next general meeting, held on the second Tuesday of every month at the Salt Rock Country Club, where you can find out about the many benefits of belonging to the watch. Meetings start at 6pm and are followed by snacks and a cash bar.
Please contact Barbara Holloway at 082 335 746 (hollowayp@telkomsa.net) or Cameron Leitch at 084 517 6543 (camleitch@gmail.com ) to join the watch and to find out how you can make a difference.
NATALIE STRUWE
Salt Rock
Letter shortened – Editor.