A SMALL group of residents in the Westville area are taking a stand against crime.
The group, which calls themselves Westville Central Patrols, has joined forces with the local SAPS and the Westville Community Policing Forum to be the eyes and ears of the police.
Six months ago, Burlington Road resident, Jill Jarggard, wrote a short letter and posted it in neighbours’ post boxes and under their gates to invite them over to her house on a Thursday night to get to know each other. The turnout was better than expected. They then created a WhatsApp group called ‘The Burlies’.
Residents then met with Cst Philip Easterbrooke of Westville SAPS and Paul Stone, a member of the Dawncliffe Neighbourhood Watch and Westville CPF, on Saturday, 30 January. Stone discussed ways for the residents to set up a patrol called Westville Central Patrols, which aims to assist the police in curbing crime.
We are not the police and we are not trained to take down criminals. We are not a vigilante group either, but we are not going to allow criminals to make us prisoners in our own home – said Jaggard.
Another resident, Liesel Muhl, created a Facebook page, and in a matter of three days it had 177 likes and 4 000 page views. She also created a website where the community was able to contact them. Their goal is 600 houses with 80 patrollers.
“The Facebook page is to create awareness, and the website is to enlist more volunteers to patrol in the area,” said Muhl.
Seven residents and members of Blue Security met at the entrance of Westville Senior Primary School on Wednesday, 3 February to create awareness. They parked their cars with green lights flashing towards the road. People stopped to find out more about this new community initiative. Muhl said the more people they get to volunteer, the better for the community, so there can be more patrols in the area. She believes that having patrols at all points can box criminal elements in and they can’t leave the area without getting caught.
A map posted on the website and Facebook page shows the current area being patrolled. Westville Central Patrols hope they can extend this area on the map soon.
Volunteers interested in joining Westville Central Patrols can contact Jill Jaggard on 082 789 1993, e-mail central@westvillepatrols.co.za or visit the website – www.westvillepatrols.co.za.
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