Buoyed by the success of its pilot project over the festive season, Toti Crime Forum will continue with its efforts to decrease crime on Toti’s beaches.
“It is an unfortunate reality that law enforcement agencies are stretched to their limits at the best of times,” said Jan Pauw of the forum.
“During the festive season, crime increases and further strain is placed on police resources. Residents need to take control of their own environment for the maintenance of law and order and their and our visitors’ safety.”
The forum’s project is aimed at enhancing security on those beaches traditionally less policed than others.
From 20 December to 9 January between 6am and 6pm, the forum enacted a beach security and street patrol programme. The programme comprised of six security officers patrolling along beaches and three patrolling designated stretches of road.
“The forum took these measures to enable the safe enjoyment of our beautiful natural environment, which is often ruined by criminals, miscreants and sometimes visitors.
It has been found that leaving the safety and security of people both living at and visiting Winkle and Warner beaches solely in the hands of local authorities is not as effective as locally planned and co-ordinated security.
Three guard huts were posted at Winkle, Moth Hall and Baggies beaches. We received funding from various stakeholders, including local business and private individuals, without which this would not have been possible, and we thank them.
Guards deployed by the forum were monitored through thrice daily, unannounced inspections, and incidents were recorded. While no serious crime was reported, a plethora of situations creating safety issues, as well as anti-social behaviour, were.”
These were as follows:
• Overcrowding on public holidays, rendering crowd control impossible and creating safety hazards;
• Large and unruly crowds – a crowd of about 50 people were evicted for camping illegally on a river floodplain;
• Illegal consumption of alcohol, fuelling the possibility for other crimes;
• Braai fires on the beaches, pavements and coastal bush;
• Unlawful use of fireworks;
• Drugs – consumption and sale of cannabis and whoonga, attracting criminals to the area;
• Prostitution.
“The pilot programme gave us an idea of what to expect during the next festive season and the opportunity to gauge public perception. Unsurprisingly, we got a very positive response from the majority.
A positive contribution was the installation of floodlights at the Moth Hall public toilets, which has been a congregation point for drug dealers and prostitutes, and a vantage point to meet for criminals. Thanks to Peter of the Moth Hall and Barrett from Blue Sky Mining.”
It was also noted that security officers deployed were ignorant of basic beach laws and this necessitated on-the-job training, which highlighted the inadequacy of the training these guards had received.
“Guards deployed without an agent management plan and without supervision are better than nothing, but we are not going to achieve the kind of reduction in crimes that we wish to see.
We want to take our town back from criminals and make it a safe place for people to enjoy themselves on weekends and during holidays,” said Jan.
“We will do so in partnership with local authorities and our community, and we will work towards a structured, co-ordinated and effective approach to less crime on our beaches for 2015.
We welcome input from everyone with an opinion on how best to lower crime and anti-social behaviour.” To have your say, email toticrimeforum@gmail.com.
