The Glencairn Heights Community and Neighbourhood Watch are taking action to combat crime in their neighbourhood.
This proactive stance developed as a result of what neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, Jenny Goldhawk-Smith, describes as an alarming increase in crime over the past few months.
Glencairn Heights Neighbourhood Watch has joined forces with CIS (Condon Investigative Solutions) dedicated patrol vehicle, which is available to respond to incidents in Glencairn Heights 24/
7.
Ms Goldhawk-Smith and the patrollers have both direct cell and radio communication with the patrol vehicle.
“We often see opportunists wandering the streets, waiting for that perfect moment to steal, or what we recognise as scouts checking out homes and taking photos. Just recently, a CIS officer managed to locate and apprehend a suspect in the early hours of the morning, a suspect that was wanted by police for theft,”she said.
Ms Goldhawk-Smith said the cameras, and key patrollers, along with the CIS officer on duty, are also able to pick up flagged or suspicious vehicles entering the area, and are able to notify SAPS, if needed.
The community raised the funds for the radios and recently sponsored a dash cam for the CIS patrol vehicle and a cellphone for the neighbourhood watch, she said.
“This community initiative will only succeed with the support of the Glencairn Heights community and we thank all those who have already supported it and we encourage others from the Heights to join us and get involved,” she said.
She said that as beautiful as the far south is, it has numerous challenges with congested traffic, in peak season, due to the limited exit and entry points, as well as numerous mountainous footpaths leading into residential areas, making it possible for criminals to escape into the bushes at night.
This, she said, is another weak point that the neighbourhood watches are addressing.
To make contact, email her on ghnwatch@gmail.com
