Neighbourhood watches were honoured for their courage and crime prevention efforts at the City of Cape Town’s annual Neighbourhood Watch Awards.
The nomination process, which started in August and closed on 6 October, afforded communities an opportunity to acknowledge work done by watches in their areas.
Speaking at the award ceremony that was held at the council chamber last week, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said neighbourhood watches demonstrated the highest ideal of active citizenry.
“The City is deeply appreciative of the community service spirit and volunteerism of every neighbourhood watch member across Cape Town.
“In a caring society, we look out for each other and the bond of trust that these groups build with their respective communities is incredibly valuable,” says Hill-Lewis
Elmarie Raubenheimer, a Har-Lyn Neighbourhood Watch patroller, was among those honoured on Saturday 12 November. In recognition of her exceptional efforts to mobilise communities in support of safety, she was named Mobiliser of the Year in the Individual Awards category.
Raubenheimer joined the watch about five years ago.
“Har-Lyn is accredited with the Department of Community Safety and as such, each patroller abides by a code of conduct. Somehow that resonated with me and aligns with my own ethical values and led me to just want to get everyone involved,” she says.
And get involved she did. A letter penned by Tony da Costa of OK Minimark and Liquorcity, Palmyra, captures the role she has played and continues to play in the Claremont community.
In it, he describes her as not only a liaison between the community and police but also a relationship builder between all parties who have been a victim of crime.
“As soon as she hears about a case, she rushes to the scene to ensure it is cordoned off until the first police officer arrives to commence their duty,” writes Da Costa.
He adds that she has also taken it upon herself to assist victims of crime with general information.
“This may be from saving footage to a hard drive until the detective is able to collect video evidence to arranging colour photocopies which the courts require, sometimes at her own expense. This remarkable lady is not driven by monetary reward but by pure passion and a sense of community duty.”
Raubenheimer is often seen walking through the streets in Claremont, either looking for cameras at private properties, collecting statements, or engaging with residents and encouraging them to establish street WhatsApp groups. By getting people to talk to their neighbours, sign up as watch members and join the Har-Lyn Facebook page – helping residents stay connected and informed – she significantly contributes to the community becoming more safety aware.
“As incidents are reported, I often provide my personal phone number as a contact to assist.
Becoming aware of similar incidents which individually might seem minor but grouped together became significant and I approach the courts which in turn lead to convictions,” she says.
She adds that while these kinds of personal engagements might have given her greater exposure in the public eye, her role is 100% dependent on the rest of her team.
“I am still a volunteer as are all other patrollers and am working as a liaison between the community, Har-Lyn, safety service providers, Law Enforcement and police which all have different roles but together we achieve so much more.”
She describes her fellow patrollers as a solid chain.
“Those going through footage and organising patrol shifts are doing the hard work. Patrollers know the regular faces and what they have been convicted of and what their movements are. They are our most important source of information.”
On receiving the award, Raubenheimer says she is honoured and humbled.
“Thank you to the City of Cape Town for acknowledging my work within the neighbourhood watch and thanks to Har-Lyn and The Greater Lynfrae Civic Association for their support in nominating me, I will continue to serve my community to the best of my ability and help victims of crime. As the saying goes, we are all in the storm together.”
