Pinetown neighbourhood watch groups need funds
Patrollers give their time selflessly to protect their communities.
NEIGHBOURHOOD watch groups are not only there to patrol the streets but they also rescue stray and lost dogs, report potholes, street lights that are not working, provide first aid and offer counselling as they are usually the first on the scene.
All this work requires more resources and the Pinetown CPF Sub Sector 3, Southern Suburbs, is in need of capital funds.
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This CPF sub sector is made up of three volunteer neighbourhood watch groups: Hatton Estate (HENW), Glen Park (GPNW) and Pineridge/Farningham Ridge (PRNW).
The footprint of these three NHW groups extend from the M19 intersection through Carversham Road, the notorious Crompton Street bridge, to Baker Road off Underwood Road, to the intersection of Maritz and Caversham roads.
Patroller, Tony Wardle, said many volunteers do not only give their personal time but also bear the cost as each patroller contributes R1 500 to keep their cars running.
“The residents also contribute money to help with the running of the neighbourhood watch groups but the contributions do not cover all the costs and needs.
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“We need funds or sponsorship for radios, bullet-proof vests and much-needed Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for First Aid. We appeal to businesses in the greater Pinetown area to assist in this worthy cause,” said Wardle.
Wardle said they recently had to perform CPR on a man who collapsed in Pinetown.
“If we had an AED, we would have known immediately the man was dead before our arrival,” he said.
Another patroller, Eddie Seymour, urged the community to report crime especially for what people perceive as petty theft.
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“When crime stats increase, a need for more police, more resources and more manpower is noted. We as the CPF have recorded 300 gate battery thefts, but it is surprising that less than 10 cases have been registered at the Pinetown police station,” he said.
Businesses or people who would like to get involved or contribute in any way must contact the CPF Sub Sector via email: pinetown3cpf@gmail.com.
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