Media Release:Accreditation of 29 NHW's will strengthen crime fighting efforts

ACCREDITATION OF 29 NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCHES WILL STRENGTHEN CRIME FIGHTING EFFORTS

15 April 2019

Minister of Community Safety, Alan Winde says, the accreditation of additional Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) structures will assist in the fight against crime across the Province.

On Friday, 12 April 2019, 33 NHW structures attended the accreditation certification ceremony, which was held in Goodwood. Of the 33 accreditations, 29 are new, while 4 were renewed. This brings the total accredited NHW’s in the Western Cape to 338.

Some of the new NHW’s includes Blikkiesdorp in Delft, Moses Street from Cloetesville in Stellenbosch, Baseline in Paarl, Mothers of Hope in Philippi, Bridgewater from Somerset West and Red Zone in Grassy Park. The 4 NHW’s that renewed their accreditation, are Chrismar from Bellville, Parklands from Milnerton, Zoo Park from Kraaifontein and Echo from Delft.

Minister Winde said: “Our community volunteers continue to play a critical role in combatting local crime. I commend each and every volunteer for sacrificing their own time to ensure that their areas are safeguarded from unscrupulous characters.

Each NHW structure received a starter kit, which consists of padlocks, a First Aid Kit, fire extinguisher, reflective bibs, torches, safety whistles, strobe lights and Vehicle Decals, while each patrolling member received a t-shirt, with the brand new logo.

During the recent launch of the Neighbourhood Watch Volunteerism campaign (NHWVC)we committed ourselves to ensuring that our NHW’s are professionalized. The provision of the Starter Kit is to support NHW’s to create safer environments and communities in which crime is minimised, thereby improving safety within their areas.

We are also aiming to ensure that accredited NHW’s become more functional, accountable and capable partners who will actively contribute towards safety within communities.

The 2017/18 crime statistics, shows that through their visibility and patrols in communities, property related crimes, which includes residential- and business burglary and the theft of-and out of a motor vehicle, were reduced by 6,8%. We want to strengthen this, so that more residents are encouraged to become volunteers, as this will help achieve a #SaferWesternCape.”