More members of the Bryanston community have come together to create a safer environment for residents to walk and run in.
With the help of social media, resident Kerry Harrison appealed to the community for collaboration between private security companies and runners or walkers to ‘take our streets back’. “The idea was to not only create a safer space for women, although we are a softer target but for the community as a whole to benefit from the safer exercise routes,” she said.
The runners have come up with a 15km route that residents can follow under the watchful eye of a number of private security companies. “We have simplified the route to a 15km which people can use more boomed areas to tag on distance or do a double loop. We cannot guarantee that there will be no incidents, but the idea is that with more security presence, this will deter criminals.”
The private security companies include CAP, 7 Arrows Security, ADT Fidelity Services, and Securezza Sandton who will patrol the routes during peak exercising times (6.30am to 9am and 4pm to 5.30pm).
“The idea is that boomed areas already have security and so the security companies on board will assist by patrolling the exposed roads on these routes during peak exercise hours,” Harrison said.
She added that because the security companies were doing this added service for the community, there were a number of easy and simple ways for the community to give back. “If you see them on the route, ask the guard to take a selfie so they can use it in their marketing and social media or post a thank you on social media, tagging them.”
The success of the project relies on many factors and these could change in time, but if the first phase is successful, it would be great to roll similar initiatives out in other areas.”
Residents interested in getting involved can contact Kerry Harrison on 082 825 8811.
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