Honeydew Residents Association and CPF members launch first greenbelt operation

Curbing criminal activity requires a little proactive sweat and strain.

Honeydew Residents Association (HRA) and members of the Honeydew Community Police Forum (CPF) took a hike through the scenic beauty of Ruimsig looking to identify threats that could grow into greater troubles. The operation focused on a field that runs from Peter Road extending all the way to the residential complexes on Sjampanje Street in Wilgeheuwel.

The concerned residents met at HRA’s unofficial headquarters for an 8:30 briefing before splitting up into two teams. Each accompanied by reaction officers from EC Security, the groups entered the greenbelt from opposite points hoping to flush out any negative elements. On their roughly three hour combing of the greenbelt, they documented areas where fires had been lit, found multiple snares used to trap animals, a makeshift underground shelter built near an abandoned house and filled several plastic bags with litter.

The areas bordering the field have been subject to an increase in crime and the greenbelt serves as both an escape route and hiding place. A victim of several incidents in recent weeks, Hans Drok, has been living on the property for 40 years. He claimed the past months have been unlike any before, as six weeks ago his tenant’s unit was ransacked while she was away while several other incidents of theft from the property has made Hans spends many nights pointing his torch into the fields to try detect burglars.

The aim is for these citizen-led operations to become a staple of HRA’s work. Chairperson Izak van Rooyen showed appreciation for everyone’s efforts, saying, “A big thank you to one and all for attending our community outreach. It was a breath of fresh air seeing all the willing faces. Your are appreciated as many hands make light work. Hope to see you all more often in our beautiful land getting our hands dirty”.