More heroes who fight crime

MEET this week’s citizens who are the coast’s unsung community crime fighters who work tirelessly to keep Port Shepstone and its surrounding suburbs safe.

Leila Edwards – coordinator of the Umtentweni Crime Watch.

Area: Umtentweni which is divided into five sectors – Sector 1: Grant Nevett, Sector 2: Di Prepok, Sector 3: Cabri van Zyl, Sector 4: Sharon Skene, Sector 5: Leila Edwards. Cindy Allan is the administration person and correlates all the information of the members onto spread sheets.

Last year’s fund-raising initiative that Mrs Edwards started with the help of the sector leaders and community members has brought in most of the required funds.

John Saunders and Arthur Edwards gave up valuable time and effort to the project and they had four cameras up with a live feedback to the base at Chaka’s Road where it is recorded. There is also a feed to Umtentweni Spar. Last week the accident at Rethman Drive was recorded and the police were able to download a copy.

Safety tips: Keep gates and garages closed; if you are at the front of your house close the back door and vice versa. Don’t leave valuables in your car and near any windows. Set alarms before going to bed – rather be safe than sorry.

We are always looking for new members and anyone interested can send an email to tweniwatch@gmail.com with the following details – name, address, street number and lot number and whether they are linked to a security company. They will be welcomed and linked up with the sector leader.

Councillor Carole Potter – chairman of Business Against Crime.

Area: Port Shepstone CBD, down to the beachfront and Newtown.

Currently crime, especially burglaries, is at its lowest figure for a long time. Obviously we still have the drugs and prostitution issues, as does everywhere, and muggings in the central CBD taxi rank area.

At the beachfront, local residents have set up street patrols and Cllr Potter has asked for a joint meeting of Hibiscus Coast Municipality (HCM) and Transnet to discuss the open unsafe areas down there. We have also had a meeting with the Department of Justice to discuss the prostitution problem and to try to find workable solutions.

Safety tips: Report every incident. If police do not know of crime then they cannot plan to deal with it. If you do not report a theft, then you are responsible for the theft or harm of the next victim of that perpetrator. Call for assistance even if you are not sure that there is definitely an intruder on your property. SAPS would rather ‘waste’ time checking than finding you injured or dead the next morning.

Keep all emergency numbers clearly visible and accessible in your home or on your phone.

To attend Business Against Crime meetings, check the newspapers, as they are usually held on the third Thursday of each month. The next will only be in September, due to elections. Contact Captain Shireen Michael to become a member of the BAC Whatsapp group at 083 5132972.

Dinesh Pillay – chairman of Marburg Community Police Forum (CPF) and Marburg Business Against Crime Forum

Area: Marburg, both residential and business.

The problem at the moment is house break-ins, motor vehicle break-ins, prostitution and muggings in residential areas. With regards to business areas, break-ins (there has been an entire safe stolen), prostitution and muggings.

Initiatives taken: Street Whatsapp groups. Meetings with private security companies (Lazer 911), HCM Law Enforcement and police which have resulted in increased patrols. Certain roads have employed night and day guards. Businesses have agreed to point at least one camera towards the road to identify perpetrators. Street meetings to discuss issues and find solutions, which have been highly effective. Assisted with plot clearing at own cost to increase visibility.

As chairman, I drive around Marburg at night identifying street lights that are not working and report them to HCM to be repaired. A well-lit street is a safe street – Dinesh Pillay

Safety tips: Plan and memorise your route before you leave home. Travel well-lit, busy streets and be alert at all times to your surroundings. Tell a trusted neighbor or friend when you intend to go out and when you’re likely to return, but don’t leave a note on the door telling people that you are gone. Please ensure that your home is properly marked with a number to ensure that security services can find your home easily.

Business Against Crime meets at Protrans boardroom in Marburg, behind BP Garage on the third Wednesday of every month at 11am.

Marburg CPF meets every third Thursday of the month at Marburg Library Activities Room.

To join and support, contact Dinesh at 082 9560840 or email dinesh.pillay911@gmail.com. Dial 10111 to report crime.

Julian Jaftha – chairman of Merlewood’s Community Police Forum (CPF).

Area: Merlewood.

Crime is very low in Merlewood, with very few incidents reported. Over the years, Merlewood has progressed into a safe neighbourhood. Everyone knows everyone, however if an incident should unfold, Warrant Officer PC Naicker is informed.

Mr Jaftha thanked God that there was no violence, gangs or crime in Merlewood and for the Christian people who continuously pray to keep their suburb safe. He also thanked the police for doing a sterling job.

Safety tips: Keep your doors and gates locked and ensure all emergency numbers are on speed dial.

Meetings take place once a month at the Youth Centre. Contact Julian at 062 1684641.

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