SAPS Villieria Social Crime Prevention and Communication, together with several organisations held a community awareness day at Queenswood Primary on October 17 to showcase the work role players in the Moot are doing to protect the community.

Marinda Austin, police spokesperson, said these included Brinant Security with their K9 dog Sniper, Proshield Security with their mounted unit, Axon Security with their motorbike, ADT Security with their firetruck, Anubis Security with their fast BMW emergency vehicle, Mon Ami Trauma Troops with their cuddling teddy bear, Braveheart Bio Dog Unit with their narcotic detection sweeps as well as an explosives detection dog and puppies, and Child Protection Hotline, Danie van Loggerenberg as the Strong man for the day, and Radio Pulpit.

“As we all come together taking hands as different emergency services, it was to teach the children about safety and teamwork. The visit showed how the police, security, paramedics, and other emergency heroes work together to protect the community and keep everyone safe,” explained Austin.

The purpose of the event was to educate children about the important roles of emergency services, to encourage them to stay safe, and to trust emergency workers.

“The children enjoyed the demonstrations by different emergency teams. The children dressed up as little emergency heroes, wearing uniforms like police officials, firefighters and paramedics.

“Their outfits added excitement to the event and helped them feel part of the team keeping the community safe,” said Austin.

The event ended on a high note, with excited children exploring the vehicles and equipment, and gaining a better understanding of how emergency services work together to protect and serve the community.

“We as emergency personnel were pleasantly surprised when the children eagerly came forward to ask for our autographs, showing their admiration and excitement for the heroes keeping them safe,” said Austin.

Carmen Engelbrecht, spokesperson for Mon Ami Trauma Troops, said the day had great value for exposure for the work they do as a NPO.

Mon Ami (French for ‘my friend’) Trauma Troops is a community based support group that emotionally assists people in the Pretoria and greater Tshwane area affected by trauma.

The group is dedicated to continually improving the benefits they offer the community at large. The group is democratic and inclusive of ethnic values to respect human life and the environment.

Engelbrecht confirmed that to date, the organisation has received more than 400 calls from residents of Pretoria needing help with traumatic situations like accidents, break-ins, fires, unnatural deaths and suicide incidents.

“It was so encouraging that the children came up to us afterwards and shared situations with us where they needed emotional support and now know that we are available to help,” said Engelbrecht.

– Mon Ami Trauma Troops can be contacted on 073 653 4497 or traumatroopers@gmail.com

– Click here to view Sniper, the K9, at work:

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