Boost for visible safety in Langebaan
Community safety efforts in and around Langebaan were boosted this month, thanks to the handover of new high visibility vests to the men and women who are part of the neighbourhood watch. The vests were donated by armed response company Fidelity ADT to the Team Langebaan Neighbourhood Watch (TLNHW) earlier this month.
“Visibility is a key ingredient of any effort to keep a community safe. People need to see you and know that you are on patrol, and to the same extent it also serves as a deterrent to any would-be criminals if they see you on the job. These high visibility vests will make our work a lot easier,” says James Olls, Chairman of TLNHW.
The TLNHW has been in operation since 2011 and registered as a public benefit organization in 2013. It covers the whole of Langebaan, which includes Long Acres, Laguna/ Mykonos/ Skiatos, and Calypso/ Blue Lagoon and Langebaan Country Estate. Olls says they work closely with the Langebaan SAPS, Fidelity ADT, as well as other security companies and the various estate security companies in the area.
“Our main crime problems are housebreakings and theft from motor vehicles. It unfortunately seems as it the housebreakings in the area have become more violent recently, and we also experience problems due to holidaymakers who are targeted by criminal elements because they drop their guard when they are on holiday.”
Olls says they need more people to become involved with the TLNHW in whatever capacity they can, either by becoming an active patroller or by making financial contributions. “We currently have around 150 members but we will certainly welcome more members. It is free to join.”
Verena Hulme, the Cape Town North district manager for Fidelity ADT, says she agrees with this call for support.
“It has been proven in communities all across South Africa that suburbs generally become safer whenever people stand together and support local security efforts. We are proud to be able to support James and the TLNHW team but we need more people to become part of this project. You can be the eyes and ears that we need to drive crime out of Langebaan,” she says.
Olls says anyone that wants more information about the TLNHW can contact him on langebaannhwchair@gmail.com or Dione Vermeulen on langebaannhw@gmail.com
Pictured is from left to right: Warrant Officer Anthea Baadjies (VISPOL Commander, Langebaan SAPS, Anthony Stock (West Coast Operations Area Manager, Fidelity ADT), James Olls (Chairman of Team Langebaan Neighbourhood Watch, Jon Amira (Crime Prevention Officer for Team Langebaan Neighbourhood Watch), and Captain Chris De Wet (Station Commander, Langebaan SAPS).