THE Pine-Ridge Neighbourhood Watch has noticed a decrease in crime in the Pinelands and Farming Ridge areas, since its initiation in June 2013.
Dylan Jenkins, chairman of the watch, reported that in June last year patrollers responded to 26 police reported incidents, and by December that number was reduced to three incidents. “Since June our patrollers respond to an average of six police reported incidents per month,” said Jenkins.
Jenkins also reported that in January this year patrollers reported to two house robberies, while in June last year they responded to six. House breakings were also reduced from seven to zero. “Since June our patrollers have responded to an average of two hijackings per month,” said Jenkins.
He warned that 70 per cent of crimes occur during the day. “We have noticed that a significant amount of hijackings occur between 8am and 10am, when pupils need to be dropped off at school and when residents leave for work,” said Jenkins. Hijackings also occur between 6pm and 8pm when residents return home.
House breakings occur primarily between 10am and 12pm when residents are not home. Residents are urged to remain extra cautious and vigilant during these times.
Jenkins also highlighted several high-risk areas. These include the bush on the M7 from Flodden Place to the Winston Churchill off ramp, Seaforth Road, Grant Place and the Trafalgar Park complex.
“We will keep working to make the community a safer place. Our patrollers were only able to do the great work because of the donations that we have received,” said Jenkins.
The Watch also raised R2 500 on behalf of the Metro K9 Unit, which was in desperate need of a new arm guard, used to train new dogs. “It is great that our community is able to support those who support us,” said Jenkins.
