Clarendon NHW raises funds through hijack prevention talk
Johann von Bargen will be presenting an Anti-hijacking Talk at the Northwood Boys' School to help the Clarendon Neighbourhood raise funds for its planned camera surveillance project.
JOIN the Clarendon Neighbourhood Watch for an Anti-hijacking Talk on 13 May, as a means to raise funds for their planned camera surveillance project.
The talk, which will be given by East Coast Radio’s Traffic Guy, Johann von Bargen, will be held at the Northwood Boys’ School from 7pm.
Members of the watch hope to raise R30 000 through the event, which will enable them to install camera surveillance systems in strategic places within their community to curb crime.
One such system has already been installed within the area and has not only caught cable thieves in the act, but has also successfully led to the arrest of an intruder and suspected robber.
The watch is the brainchild of active member, Bronwyn Samuels, Denise Masson, who is currently the acting chairman, and her husband, Angelo. They formed the crime fighting initiative in May 2012 in response to a sudden spike in home robberies in the area.
However, according to the trio, they did not do it alone, and managed to get the project off the ground with the help of Mvoti Neighbourhood Watch member, Eric van Rensburg, who has been instrumental in the formation of several watches in the Durban North area.
Another person who helped the watch gain momentum was Paul Khan, the former chairman and current active member.”In the beginning we started recruiting members by walking along the road and putting flyers into people’s post boxes,” said Samuels.
These days the watch’s members communicate through social media. In addition to a Facebook group the members also have WhatsApp ‘crime’ and ‘chat’ groups.
Over the years the small initiative has grown significantly, and currently the members keep a watchful eye on the residential area along and within Blackburn Road, Eastview Road, Edgeley Road, Deglon Road, Clarendon Road, Church Road, Chris Hani (North Coast) Road, Athlone Road, Park Road, Highlands Road, Strathearn Road and Conyngham Avenue.
In addition to combating crime, the watch has also connected residents, said Masson. “We have met amazing people and have become good friends. If it wasn’t for the watch we would never have known each other. People who don’t belong to the watch are missing out. Not only do you feel much safer, but there is also a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment,” she said proudly.
Entrance to the talk costs R30 per person. Contact Denise on 083 779 1238 or Bronwyn on 083 419 4780.
