IT’S not all doom and gloom!
This is the positive message John Irven, chairman of the Community Safety Organisation (CSO) would like to spread. “I am blown away by the amazing people in our communities and those employed at the Hibiscus Coast Municipality,” he said.
Most recently, Basil Lanka, owner of Lazer 911, reached out and fitted an alarm system into Sea Park’s ‘safe haven’ called Pollyanna’s Place. Mr Irven said he was bowled over by Mr Lanka’s generosity.
It was named ‘Pollyanna’s Place’, in loving memory of Anne Docherty, who was a member of Rotary Club of Port Shepstone and an active member in the community.
Many people now utilise the facility three times a week for counselling purposes.
“Mr Lanka had paid a visit to Pollyanna’s Place and had inquired as to why there wasn’t an alarm fitted. I told him our pockets were empty. The following morning he phoned to inform me an alarm would be fitted free of charge,” said Mr Irven.
Mr Lanka has further loaned John a motorbike to assist with patrols from Sea Park to Umzumbe.
“If you live and work in the community, you must give back to the community,”said Mr Irven, quoting Mr Lanka.
Mr Irven also thanked Tiaan Vermeulen and Robbie Pypers of Lazer 911 for always going above and beyond for the community.
Robbie even does community patrols on his night off.
Mr Irven also thanked and praised the staff of HCM. He said he had recently asked HCM for no dumping signs for Bendigo Nature Reserve, bylaw signage and recycling bins for the beaches and for Umdoni Road to be cleared – and his requests have been met promptly and efficiently.
Mr Irven has many feel-good stories to tell. In one case, Hilton Bechoo of HCM worked like a Trojan to get electricity restored for Pollyanna’s Place, despite it not being a municipal issue, while a community member generously settled a large outstanding water account Pollyanna’s Place had inherited from the previous occupants.
“We should give HCM some slack… all you have to do is ask and treat people with respect,” he said.
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