Dial 911 for an emergency

NEWCASTLE – Those who believe nothing happens in Newcastle, are so very wrong. Just ask Tillie Kirkland, who has spent numerous sleepless nights heading the community-based Newcastle 911 Community Policing forum.

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The calls come in thick and fast. In highlighting the main responses in July, Mrs Kirkland called on law enforcement to embrace the forum and work hand in hand with them.

“We are giving the public a great service; it allows the community to call in all sorts of incidents. We use our own vehicles, airtime and fuel, and we’re willing to help where possible.”

Approximately two weeks ago, forum members received an alert regarding a bakkie travelling in the oncoming lane of Allen Street with its lights off. Response teams were dispatched within four minutes. Sadly, a head-on collision had already occurred, which resulted in the driver of a second vehicle passing away in hospital.

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“We handled the scene as far as we could, then left it to the SAPS.”

July 3 saw an afternoon call-out regarding a collision at the intersection of Impala Drive and Fountain Avenue. Members responded in six minutes. A few hours later, another vehicle was reported on the wrong side of the road on Drakensberg Drive, in the vicinity of Monte Vista Casino. This time, teams arrived at the scene in four minutes.

“By that time, the car with two people inside, had mounted the pavement. We have a 24-hour control room and response within minutes at all hours of the day.”

The biggest incident thus far was the result of an anonymous call, regarding a reportedly stolen vehicle fleeing Newcastle via the Normandien Road on July 13. Morne Potgieter, operations manager for 911, immediately alerted local farmers. Working in tandem with the farming community, SAPS, traffic officials and private security companies, the road ahead of the suspects was blockaded, and an arrest made.

While the vehicle used was not stolen, the large sum of money was. According to a report from SAPS Corporate Communications, the suspects appeared in court on July 18, and were remanded pending a bail application.

“The SAPS later recovered the remainder of the stolen money in Volksrust.”

Monday, two weeks ago, a member called in on behalf of a local guesthouse, the victim of guests who were said to have fled without paying up. This time, Quentin Ferreira was the first responder. He gave chase to the vehicle, eventually assisting SAPS members to stop the vehicle near the Dannhauser intersection of the N11.

“This was his first official citizen’s arrest, and we are very proud of him.”

The four occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody, later claiming they had left Newcastle to borrow money to settle their account at the guesthouse.

Not long afterwards, 911 also dispatched members to a robbery scene on Terminus Street. According to Mrs Kirkland, a resident was cut on the hand, after attempting to help a woman held at knifepoint by three men. Members rushed to the scene, by which time the robbers had fled.

“Our members gave chase, and the criminals eventually escaped near the river banks.”