Villieria street watch to combat crime
“It is important to achieve total group participation in blocks and streets.”
The Villieria CPF has started a “know your neighbour” initiative as part of their campaign to fight crime in the area.
“Knowing your neighbour, also known as ‘Street Watch’, is aimed at getting residents to know their neighbours and thus empower themselves,” said police spokesperson Captain Coba Brits.
She said it was important to create awareness about this initiative because many people did not know about it.
“It is important to achieve total group participation in blocks and streets.”
She said this created a united front against crime.
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“This project does not compete with existing crime prevention initiatives or with your membership with security companies,” she said.
“To combat crime effectively, it is necessary to share word of high-crime zones, crime trends and anti-crime priorities with the community to prepare residents.”
Brits said communication with the Street Watch initiative members was based on crime intelligence and focused on actual crime incidents in a zone that would enable residents to take action against crime.
“Residents who are members of Street Watch are encouraged to report any suspicious actions, people and vehicles to the group,” she said.
“Fellow members of Street Watch can then monitor the movements of suspects. This will enable the SAPS and security companies to respond and deal with them directly to establish the cause of the problem.”
She said the concept of Street Watch sought to unite the community against criminals who seek to limit the freedom of residents.
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“We, as a community, must monitor the movement of criminals in our neighbourhood,” she said.
“From February 2020, awareness campaigns will be launched to increase the Street Watch groups in CPF Villieria’s respective sectors namely 1, 2 and 3’s membership to organise more effectively against crime.”
She said there were examples of why it was important to become part of your Street Watch.
“Two years ago, a few neighbours living in Waverley sector 1 decided to form a WhatsApp group between them,” she said.
“This was in response to criminal jumpers moving through their properties. As far as they moved, small items were stolen, including a cellphone.”
Brits said after two more incidents, these criminal were caught thanks to the group.
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“A burglar was also prevented from causing harm to a resident,” she said.
“The story began to spread and membership grew substantially.”
She said the CPF was also planning a programme with homeworkers and gardeners on crime prevention for 2020.
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