Bobby On The Beat a success
NORTHCLIFF – Runners asked the CPF to host this initiative more often after a successful first run.
The local CPF team is thrilled with the response and support they have received for their safe exercising initiative.
Those walking, running and cycling up and down Northcliff hill could do so safely for the first time in a while thanks to the Fairland Community Policing Forum (CPF). On 21 June, the CPF launched their ‘Bobby On The Beat’ initiative which paved a safe passage for community members to exercise on the roads, as reported in the Northcliff Melville Times article Keeping you safe [Week ending 26 June].
The CPF’s patrollers marked out a route up and down Northcliff hill and had members strategically placed to ensure public safety. The support received from private security companies and ER24 ensured that the route was even safer. Fairland CPF spokesperson Mahmood Cassim said, “Many runners and cyclists shouted encouragement as they passed, some asking if we could do this on a continuous basis to ensure their safety.”
The initiative comes after the CPF reported an increase in the number of criminal incidents faced by those running and cycling within the Fairland policing precinct. Cassim explained, “The idea is to showing greater visibility along popular exercise routes and close to coffee shops/restaurants where snatch and grabs are likely to occur.”
The CPF’s patrollers will be wearing high visibility jackets so they can be identified by the public and will be able to call or radio the relevant authorities with anything is to go wrong.
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According to Cassim, as early as dawn, the serious sporting enthusiasts were out making their way up and down the hill while families started their walks and runs towards the mid-morning. Cassim added, “Fairland CPF patrollers and Victim Support members complemented each other extremely well during this opportunity to co-host a wonderful public initiative.”
