Residents encouraged to restore neighbourhood watchgroups
Neighbourhood watch is a widely recognised as a community-based crime prevention activity.
Cullinan police have called on residents to restore their neighbourhood watch groups.
The residents were told this following reported incidents whereby crime victims called for help during a robbery and some were robbed of their valuable items in view of their neighbours without any intervention or help from them.
Police spokesperson Constable Connie Moganedi said neighbourhood watch groups were widely considered to be an effective way to reduce crime, improve communication and address concerns through a partnership between residents and police.
“Neighbourhood watch is an excellent scheme that brings neighbours together to support and protect themselves, their homes and their properties from crime,” said Moganedi.
“Neighbourhood watch is widely recognised as a community-based crime prevention activity. It’s hugely beneficial in reassuring those who have a fear of crime, particularly our elderly folks, while increasing community spirit and neighbourliness,” said Moganedi.
She said restoring a neighbourhood watch usually involved local residents who cared for each other, and set up with the assistance of police to minimise the risk of property theft, personal safety and other crime in their neighbourhood.
“Neighbourhood watch carries out activities such as reporting suspicious activity and improving personal and home security,” she said.
The Cullinan police urged residents to watch over each other’s property and personal safety and also to keep up the spirit of Ubuntu by not committing vigilantism or endangering others’ lives.
Safety tips:
– Be your neighbour’s keeper.
– Report any suspicious vehicle or movement at a neighbours’ place.
– Be of assistance every time a neighbour calls for help, especially during criminal incident.
– Be a whistle-blower when seeing crime happening to other person in your presence or at a neighbour’s place.
– Alternatively install an alarm or have a dog to look after the property.
– Always keep the lights on at night even when you are not around this will prevent criminals from breaking.
– Improve the security in your house and maybe have an alarm
“Inform your neighbours when you not around and have someone to look after you house if you’re going to be away for some time,” Moganedi said.
The public was advised to have a good working relationship with the police and always report suspicious-looking person to the police by phoning 08600 10111.
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