Public urged to join neighbourhood watch groups for united front against crime and house robberies
Plettenberg Bay crime fighters have called on residents to step up in their fight against crime, following a spate of burglaries and theft over the past 10 days.
Plett Watch’s Lisa Nagel said there had been at least eight incidents during this period – and these were only the ones reported to her.
“I’m certain there are more that I am not aware of. This is very concerning, to say the least,” Nagel said.
She added that they were in the process of mapping and plotting all the burglaries in order to establish a pattern or trend and also to assist with identifying areas where they needed more patrols.
Nagel said in order to achieve this, there was a need for more dedicated patrollers in all areas.
“We need eyes and ears
out at all hours, and preferably overlapping. If less than half the members on our groups did an hour patrol per month at a set time, we would have 24/7 patrolling.
“There are 744 hours in a 31-day month. We have more than double that number of people in our groups. All we ask is a couple of hours of your time once a month and we will have this town covered,” Nagel said.
She added that, mostly, the presence of patrollers scared off criminals.
“The hours from 6 pm to 6 am are crucial and would suit members who work fulltime or do not sleep much. During the day, housewives and retirees could take a drive around and keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour.
“At the moment we have a maximum of 12 active volunteer patrollers trying
to cover all the hours in a month,” she said, adding that all residents should belong to neighbourhood watch groups.
“The more members we have on groups, the more information we can get out to you regarding your area, and the more secure everyone will feel, knowing that you are aware of what is happening around you.”
Nagel said they also needed information with regards to burglaries and other crime in each area. “This will assist us with the mapping of ‘hot’ areas. We are not always informed, so it is difficult to get a true reflection of where, when, and how a crime has taken place.
“The more information we receive, the more we are able to assist and try to ensure it does not happen again.”
Garden Roule Media • Also see the Plett Ratepayers Association update on page 4.