Community chat groups have a crucial role to play in tackling crime, says Ebrahim Achmat, the new chairman of the Garlandale Community Watch.
Mr Achmat, along with a new executive committee, was elected at the watch’s annual general meeting attended by about 70 people at Garlandale High School on Sunday.
He is joined on the committee by vice chairman Robert Daries, treasurer Imraan Adams, operations coordinator Shakeerah Abrahams and secretary Afeefa Emeran.
Mr Achmat said the watch had set up street committees with their own WhatsApp groups for residents to report crime.
The chat groups were essential for neighbourhood safety, he said, adding that 15 robberies had been reported in the neighbourhood since the start of April.
Reckless driving, illegal dumping and theft also plagued the community, but the crime rate was dropping and there were fewer vagrants in the area, he said.
“Power outages also affect us as that’s when cables are stolen. Assault and attempted hijacking in Athlone affect us because criminals use Garlandale as an escape route. We are reaching out to security companies and law enforcement for assistance.“
He said the watch planned to work with the Athlone Community Police Forum and hold it accountable.
“We can’t rely on SAPS, Law Enforcement or any other entity besides ourselves. We have to stand together. We are in the same neighbourhood. We can do this.”
Garlandale ward councillor Mark Kleinschmidt, who attended the meeting, said residents wanted cameras in the area to reduce crime.
“I am very happy with the Garlandale Crime Watch. They have all their ducks in a row. There are men and women working together. They are well organised and communicate well with residents. Their ongoing commitment to take back the streets, as well as their unity, is admirable. They’ve already managed to cut down on vagrancy and bin scratchers.“
Mr Ebrahim encouraged residents to share their expertise to make Garlandale safer.
“Engage us, step forward if you have expertise and time,” he said. “We will also be conducting risk profiles of the area and scheduling patrolling.”
The watch planned to register as a non-profit company, seek support from the provincial Department of Community Safety and use some of the R3500 donated by the community to post signage displaying its name, contact number, and non-profit company registration number, he said.
“We have challenges in the community that we need to step up to. We need to help those who need help, stop those who need stopping and push those who need to be pushed forward.”
Madiega Jacobs, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, said theft was the biggest problem, but the neighbourhood now had a committed group of people who were patrolling and working together to make the area safer.
“The right people came at the right time. We were seen as a soft target by neighbouring communities. Now it’s different.”
Residents had started bin, school and bus-stop patrols four months ago and were using WhatsApp groups to flag issues, she said.
“Sunday nights and Monday mornings are when house break-ins happen so we know to be extra vigilant then.”
Mr Adams urged the community to support the watch.
“We are a family, and if we work together, we can create a safer environment for us and generations to come.”