Community patrollers work together to protect Montwood
Although the threat has changed, the neighbourhood watch group’s main focus has shifted to controlling general crime in the area.
BORN from the looting and riots which shook the community in July, Montwood Patrollers have been working hard and long to protect the communities of Montclair and Woodlands.
Although the threat has changed, the neighbourhood watch group’s main focus has shifted to controlling general crime in the area. The initiative runs on a volunteer basis and are supported by members of the community to assist in preventing and fighting crime.
“The whole community has come together to protect their area. Our police force is faced with the task of covering the entire precinct with limited resources. The group has taken initiative to assist them by getting our guys to go out in their own vehicles to patrol the area frequently and respond to any suspicious activity that may have been reported to our groups and channels or from our control room. We are grateful to the guys who put in the hours day in and day out even in the middle of the night on high alert when many are asleep. We also thank the community for their support in keeping us going,” said member, Chris Lelong.
Another member who wished to use an alias, Bubbles, runs the control room and handles the group’s Zello channels which works as a push-2-talk platform. One is for the community where residents can report suspicious activities and the other is for patrollers working on the ground in the area.
The group runs 24/7 and has eight controllers and about 22 patrollers who work on different shifts throughout the day. They cover the ward 64 areas with priority to Woodlands and Montclair.
“We don’t have much jurisdiction and therefore we don’t search people’s cars and arrests. We contact the police to take over that side of things. Although they have internal issues such as not having enough vehicles, we do receive good support from the Montclair SAPS and have a good relationship with them.
“We are the bottom feeders that do the work that many don’t want to do. This has turned out to be a big job as we try to keep an eye out for the yard hoppers which is a big problem in the area we cover. But with our presence every night we’ve found that they get discouraged to keep targeting our area. We will never not help where there is a need and we will not stop what we’re doing,” said Bubbles.
They urge the community to be vigilant as well as provide as many details and descriptions as possible when reporting a crime or suspicious activity. They describe themselves as a rainbow nation of brothers and sisters who have come together to secure their suburb. They have helped catch many offenders and lawbreakers who have been processed further by police.
Montwood Patrollers have opened a fuel account at Total Wingate Service Station and appeal to the community for contributions towards fuel when out on patrols. Banking details are; ABSA, account number 1560152007, Branch 632005, reference: Montwood Patrollers.
To join the group or for more information contact Bubbles on 065 947 8677.
