The Bridgetown Neighbourhood Watch teamed up with the Bridgetown Community Development Forum to try to combat crime.
Chairperson Nazeem Davids said they realised that to reduce crime, they also had to develop the area and empower the residents – which is why they partnered with the forum.
The watch’s current executive was elected three months ago, and although it has been in operation for more than 10 years, it is now in the process of being registered and accredited with the City of Cape Town.
The group has 50 active members, but this number swells to 150 when they patrol the area.
Mr Davids said since they started communicating with residents via social media, things have improved in the area.
“We have 1 000 people in the groups, and it is here they report crime as it unfolds, and this means we can respond to it much sooner.
“The community does not only report crime, however, and we assist in all areas where we are needed. Sometimes people would report burst water pipes, houses burning or missing dogs. The Bridgetown Community Development Forum was established when the neighbourhood watch and community leaders came together.
“We operate as a team, and the work done by the forum includes initiatives around sport, social development, health and business. We also had our first religious leaders meeting. It is of no use combating crime and doing nothing to develop the community,” Mr Davids said.
Andrew Samuels, the neighbourhood watch’s public relations officer (PRO), agreed with Mr Davids, saying they are not just focusing on the negative things happening in the community, and assist where they can.
The watch members also agree that they have a good working relationship with Athlone SAPS, the Athlone Community Police Forum (CPF), and ward councillors, Rashid Adams and Anthony Moses.
Although the relationship between the community and the watch has improved significantly, Mr Davids admitted that the community still has trust issues with the police.
“People are more open to share information with the neighbourhood watch. We come from a regime where mistrust of the police was common, and this mistrust was inherited by the younger generation. We are planning on a meet and greet with us, the community and SAPS, so that we can mend some of the gaps,” Mr Davids said.
He thanked Eros School for allowing the watch to use its facility, and urged the community to help the school wherever they can.
In September, the watch also took 80 children from Bridgetown and Statice Heights on an overnight camp on the Nantes.
This was done so that young people can get to know one another.
Educational talks were also held by law enforcement, and an archery demonstration was held.
The watch is also hard at work to get the environment clean. They encourage residents to keep the community clean.
Mr Davids said there are still some residents, however, who support crime.
“We have to condemn what is wrong. There are still people supporting crime and look out for criminals. They don’t want to work with people wanting to make a difference. This is part of the reason why we are partnering with religious leaders, because we want to spread the message wide and far,” he said.
