Rosehill neighbourhood watch makes strides against crime
Chris Griffiths, who formed the watch said the purpose of the meeting was to get the Rosehill community to band together to fight crime in the area.
THE formation of the Rosehill Neighbourhood Watch has yielded positive effects on the area since its formation more than three weeks ago. The watch was formed at a public meeting in response to a spike in crime in the area. Residents said opportunistic criminals had been targeting homes and making off with easy to carry items before running towards the Seaton Park Nature Reserve on Lothian Road or running on Chris Hani Road (North Coast Road).
Chris Griffiths, who formed the watch said the purpose of the meeting was to get the Rosehill community to band together to fight crime in the area.
“I must admit there has been a great response since the meeting at the park. What has been encouraging has been the channels of communication have opened up and the neighbours are talking and looking out for each other. Since I’ve put my number out I’ve had residents phoning me up and letting me know about suspicious things in the area. Brian Daish from the uMgeni Park CPF sector has also been extremely helpful with information and his expertise.
In other crime news: Thief targets uMgeni Park home in break-in
“Another pleasing aspect has been the response times from the Greenwood Park SAPS has also improved and I’ve had an excellent working relationship with the station commander, Col Mbongeni Mngadi. He has committed to help us fight crime in our area which is great,” he said.
The local resident added the arrest of a house breaker had also been a positive result.
“More than a week ago, my neighbour’s granny flat was broken into. I happened to be at home at the time and he saw the guy walking towards his fence and shouted for my help. I gave chase and when I got to bush outside the home the suspect had dropped two packets containing power tools which he had stolen from another home in the area. The suspect was eventually arrested by Marshall Security and was in possession of a 32 inch TV which he had stolen from my neighbour. He also had a backpack containing surround sound speakers,” he said.
Read also: Gang arrested following Durban North attempted robbery
Griffiths and Daish said they were now looking at forming a community improvement programme to help with the problems in the area.
He has urged residents of Rosehill to contact him to become a part of the neighbourhood watch. Contact him on 073 006 7864 or email chris@projectlab.co.za.
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