The newly formed Fish Hoek Central Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) has officially hit the streets in a bid to curb crime in the area.
Rob Freeman, who spearheaded the initiative, said they realised the central area of Fish Hoek, which includes the business district and transport hub, needed a community watch.
“When I came back from a work trip in Hermanus early this year, I saw the state of Main Road and went to the local police and asked whether we could start a community watch in the area.
“At the time we identified that there were no neighbourhood watches in Main Road.
On Wednesday 31 August the new NHW, that had been vetted by Fish Hoek police, was officially launched.
However, three months before the launch they had begun patrolling the area.
“At the time we started the ‘Keep Fish Hoek Safe’ campaign that was aimed at the elderly and vulnerable such as women and children.
“In the campaign we had whistles with the idea for it to be used if there was a crime witnessed.
“One of the ladies was actually confronted with a knife and she blew the whistle which made the person run away.”
The Fish Hoek Central Neighbourhood Watch is different to other neighbourhoods as it also covers businesses and a busy transport hub, explains Freeman.
“There are schools, businesses, old age homes and churches so it’s very different to other suburbs in that way.
“But there are also a lot of residents who live in the area, some in flats above businesses. It’s also different in that we are dealing with a lot of drug influx within the central area.”
Currently their main focus is First Avenue, Beach Road, Main Road and the circle to the bridge at Clovelly.
“We have five patrollers and are growing, in terms of our patrollers, and also of course we have a secretary as well as a treasurer and chair while we are working closely with the CPF and the local police.”
He added it was important for the community and businesses to take a stand against crime.
Fish Hoek Community Policing Forum (CPF) chair Jonathan Mills officiated at the formation of the Fish Hoek Central Neighbourhood Watch committee on Wednesday.
“It was identified that there are people living in the main street above businesses and off the Main Road that are not covered by the neighbourhood watches, so there was a need for a central neighbourhood watch.”
Mills added that anti-social behaviour late at night and crime after hours was left to police to cover on their own.
“Tackling crime in our community requires everyone to get involved and an active NHW with good working relationships is still the first line of defence against crime in any area.
“I would like to thank the new committee and everyone who joins them for being willing to stand with us in the fight against crime.”
