Gonubie Protect ~ striving to better the safety of community

The community of Gonubie is a close-knit one, as are many other communities within East London and indeed, nationwide. However, in a personal capacity, the closeness of the residents within the community of Gonubie is something very special.

This was displayed recently when a young local girl went missing after leaving school in the afternoon. The way in which the community came together during this extremely worrying situation was incredible. Via social media platforms, people rallied around and asked “What can we do to help?”. Whether it was visiting shopping malls around Gonubie to check CCTV footage or literally pounding the streets in search of the girl, everybody played a part and very little sleep was had that night. Fortunately, the young girl was found safe and sound and an audible sigh of relief could be heard all around. But it showed us how everything else fell away at that moment. Nothing else mattered, only the well-being of the missing child. Differences between people were forgotten because something far more important was happening.

Forming part of the search team that particular night was a community-based organisation called Gonubie Protect, a team of people that go out of their way to ensure the safety of all people in Gonubie (Sector One), through community involvement and the rendering of professional services.

The Gonubie Protect Group was established in August this year, by Daniel Ellis. He was prompted by a social media post on a local forum by Wesley Dormer, who spoke about the importance of protecting our families and loved ones, something that could only be done through combating crime.

Following the first meeting headed by Daniel, it was decided that the streets had to be patrolled, particularly during the night. Members of the community came forward and volunteered their time, sacrificed their sleep and began patrolling the streets, carrying out different shifts. In the very beginning there was only one volunteer per shift but this soon grew to two people and at least two vehicles equipped with radio communications.

As I write, more and more people within the community are joining the Gonubie Protect Group which of course leads to more volunteers stepping forward and getting involved.

Daniel tells us that the group’s aim is to have four vehicles with two guys per vehicle and at least three shifts covered per night – from 11.30pm through till 4am – with a total of 24 people per night and covering four sectors within Gonubie. Witnessing how the the group has grown in such a short space of time, I have no doubt that this goal will be met.

Daniel explains that the Gonubie Protect Group is not a vigilante enforcement, nor is it a reaction unit, but a team of pro-active community members who want to ensure that there are visible patrollers on the streets. And the fact that they are visible and present each and every night has undoubtedly alerted criminals and sent the message that the residents are no longer willing to tolerate crime.

There are guidelines within the group and as time goes on, Daniel envisages training in law, important rules and also Close Quarter Combat (CQB). At present the group is building relationships with the SAPS and other security companies and hopes to work alongside them in the future, creating safety and raising awareness for a safer community.

Gonubie Protect Vision Statement:

Our primary objective, is to promote a partnership between the community and the local police and to create an environment that will promote effective local policing that is not only user-friendly but also able to recommend to the South African Police Service measures for accomplishing these aims.

Being a voluntary organisation, Gonubie Protect is continuously looking for ways to raise funds to cover general costs such as petrol and general wear and tear on tyres etc as well as costs for different types of equipment needed for the volunteers during their shifts.

Daniel explains that as the group is still relatively new, it is of course a work in progress ~ members of the community who may have suggestions on how to better protect the residents of Gonubie are more than welcome to come forward, the group is always looking for ways to improve its service.

For me personally, the Gonubie Protect Group is wonderful. To know that there are people out there patrolling the streets and looking out for any trouble that may arise, voluntarily, speaks volumes. The group not only feels a strong need to protect their own families and friends but our familiy and friends too.

If you have any fundraising ideas to help cover costs for the Gonubie Protect Group or if you would like to donate or assist by volunteering to patrol with the team, please contact Daniel Ellis on 083 212 4576.