Watch: Locals jailed and bailed for a good cause
A minimum or R250 was accepted as ‘bail’ and these donations were handed over to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa).
Hurry up and wait was the trending phrase at the Jail a Vic event hosted by the Boksburg North SAPS and Chris Batts of Sports Against Crime on March 2 from 9am to 1pm.
Members of the community were ‘arrested’ and rushed to the corner of Rondebult and North Rand roads in police vans with the necessary drama of blue lights, handcuffs and sirens, where they had to sit in a mock cell and wait for their companies to ‘bail’ them out.
“We arrested about 43 ‘victims’ from various companies,” said Capt Juanita Coetzer, communications officer for the Boksburg North SAPS.
Batts said he was honoured to have partnered with the local police station on this initiative.
Those arrested were nominated by their companies and had no idea that it was a fake arrest.
Some were charged with ‘theft’ and some for ‘unpaid e-toll accounts’, causing them to panic and roar with frustration and fear and all the other expected reactions when you are arrested out of the blue in front of your colleagues.
Luckily, the stress was short-lived as they received an explanation, water and a comfortable camping chair to sit on inside the mock cell. Paramedics were also present – just in case.
“Sports Against Crime is often involved in initiatives with the police and the community. We believe in being driven by purpose and powered by passion,” said Batts.
“Today we started a whole avalanche of getting people involved because if you say you care but you don’t show you care, it means nothing.
“We want to thank the various companies involved because they really pulled together and raised a lot of money,” said Coetzer.
“The event raised about R7 000 in under five hours and this donation will go a long way for Cansa.
“Each ‘victim’ and the company they represented also received a certificate stating that they took part in this fund-raising initiative.
“The next fund-raiser we are planning is a barefoot challenge, where we will be walking barefoot for a day. I, personally, will be walking barefoot for a year,” said Batts.
With emotions running high and lawyers on speed dial, the ‘victims’ of the fake arrests were good sports and the businesses of Boksburg showed enthusiasm and compassion by making a difference by taking part in Jail a Vic.
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