Community car watch yields success
As the residents began to arrive to observe Friday prayers, they were appreciative of the gesture and many comments like 'well done', 'thank you' and 'we appreciate this' were uttered
When community members stand together #CrimeWillFall.
This was evident when a group of locals joined forces to keep watch over the vehicles of the male members of the Islamic community who observed prayers at the Estcourt Town Mosque on Friday at noon.
A plea for help was received by Community Police Forum (CPF) Deputy Chairperson David Allen. He was informed by a member of the Muslim community that a number of vehicles were being broken into on Fridays while they were inside the mosque.
Mr Allen spoke to Pastor Jon Kuhn from Midlands Christian Centre and a solution of a patrol by volunteers was taken. On Friday just before noon, a handful of locals gathered at the PicknPay parking lot, wearing red.
The volunteers were briefed on the route to take in Alexandra Street as well as at the mosque entrance behind Connor Street.
“If you spot someone suspicious, contact one of us on our cell phones,” explained Mr Allen. He did however; explain that the likelihood of a suspect committing a crime while the group was visible was unlikely.
The volunteers set off and as the residents began to arrive to observe Friday prayers, they were appreciative of the gesture and many comments like ‘well done’, ‘thank you’ and ‘we appreciate this’ were uttered.
At 1pm when prayers were done, the volunteers were glad to know that no vehicles were broken into or damaged. This initiative will be done every Friday between 12.15pm and 1.15pm. If you would like to join, meet the team this Friday in the PicknPay parking lot, shortly before noon.
