The City of Cape Town will be expanding the first aid training for neighbourhood watches in a bid to improve the services offered by these local crime prevention groups.
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The training is just one of the many interventions in the ever-evolving Neighbourhood Watch (NW) Support Programme, launched by the City 15 years ago.
This year, the City’s Safety and Security Directorate will manage a R7,2 million budget allocation, courtesy of ward allocation funding, to further upskill and equip neighbourhood watches (NWs) around the city.
The City launched its Neighbourhood Watch Support programme in 2008.
The mission was to help communities not only establish NWs but also to facilitate training and help these organisations secure accreditation through the Western Cape Department of Community Safety.
Fifteen years later, the programme continues to grow with a dedicated Community Liaison Officer per geographical area in the metropole to act as a point of contact for NWs, facilitate training and other needs and provide administrative support during the accreditation process.
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Earlier this year, the programme also piloted first aid training for a handful of NWs, in addition to its well established situational crime prevention programme to bolster the training that has been rolled out to date.
The aim for the next 12 months is to provide first aid training to at least 200 NW members.
‘We have come a very long way since this programme’s very humble beginnings in 2008 and I commend all of the neighbourhood watch members, communities, ward councillors and our staff who have been involved in the growth that we have seen over time,’ said mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith.
‘Although the programme is evolving, the foundational aspects will remain in place, like the handing over of critical equipment to help watch members conduct their patrols, and the basic training around situational crime prevention.’
‘However, we have also seen in recent years, that our watches are capable of so much more. They were incredible partners during the Covid-19 pandemic, they’ve become key players during our festive season operations, and we just recently hosted a mass information session where we explored how they can be of assistance during higher stages of load-shedding.’
At the City’s satellite CCTV control rooms in Retreat, Ocean View and Grassy Park, local NW members have undergone training to monitor the cameras for quick responses to detections by NW groups, SAPS and City enforcement agencies.
Members from accredited NWs can also apply to become Law Enforcement Auxiliary Service members (volunteers), performing either uniformed duties under the supervision of permanent Law Enforcement staff, or fulfilling administrative duties – the latter being rolled out in this financial year.
‘Our Neighbourhood Watches play such an important role in crime prevention, communication and support to our enforcement agencies. Their patrols in their communities help increase visibility, but also contribute towards a sense of community pride and safer neighbourhoods. We would like to thank all those members who sacrifice their free time to work with us in building a safer city,’ he added.
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Picture: Unsplash / Richard Bell