LES Jones, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Outer West Community Policing Forum (CPF) applauds the co-operation between residents and neighbourhood watch groups (NHW) that resulted in the apprehension of a suspect in Hillcrest in September.
Jones maintains that the greater Hillcrest community is united in their stand against crime and that he was pleased to see residents and NHW groups work together.
The Outer West CPF spokesperson says that when the call came out to assist residents in the Highbury area, nearby NHW groups from Assagay, Botha’s Hill and West Riding, and community members, all fell in to help.
He says, “The suspects headed into the bush, and the NHW groups quickly cordoned off Kassier Road, and some of the members infiltrated the surrounding bush.”
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The NHW groups were well supported by the community with a patroller or resident standing watch at intervals. Fence-hopping is one of the more popular modus operandi for criminals committing petty crimes in the area, according to Jones. On this occasion, the NHWs and individuals working with them created a barrier to prevent the suspects from absconding.
Jones said that as people drove through the area, they noticed the activity, stopped to enquire about the cause and joined the mission.
“It was such a great thing to see that as people drove past, they literally parked their cars and joined in. Residents of all races and the NHW groups from many areas worked together to catch the suspects. People have had enough of crime. The suspect was apprehended, and the police arrived ten minutes later, and the individual was taken into custody. “
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The NHW members feel that residents monitoring the suspect’s whereabouts on WhatsApp Street groups played a role in the successful arrest of the suspect.
The function of the Outer West CPF is to serve as a liaison organisation between the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the NHWs. It is a voluntary group that helps to foster close relationships between the two sectors, and the committee has chosen to also strengthen the bond between all the communities falling under the ambit of the Outer West CPF, which is vast.
The Outer West CPF is beginning to work together with taxi owners from the surrounding community areas, in projects aimed at making the CBD of Hillcrest cleaner and safer for the whole population.
The Outer West CPF and the organisations they work with are prioritising employing workers and using services from the local area rather than businesses located farther afield.
Jones says, “We’ve realised that living in South Africa, it’s not about you or me independently. It’s the responsibility of all of us to solve the problems of the country. We are all in this together.”
