New Victoria Bay neighbourhood watch ready to tackle crime

The new Victoria Bay neighbourhood watch set up by AfriForum’s George branch is ready to tackle crime in this picturesque coastal town and the surrounding area.

This neighbourhood watch, which was established in November, forms part of the George branch and aims to increase security in this community in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other local security agencies.

The newly elected neighbourhood watch management are Gerhan Archer (neighbourhood watch leader), PJ Maritz (operational team leader), Patrick Rawlins (information team leader), and Mias Strauss (team leader: support).

Archer emphasises that he is eager to seize this opportunity to make a difference in Victoria Bay. According to him, the safety of an area cannot be operated in silos, and that is why AfriForum’s Victoria Bay neighbourhood watch joins an extensive network of other AfriForum structures.

“AfriForum believes that all safety role-players must work together towards a common goal, and therefore we will join hands with the communities in and around George to protect people living in these areas,” explains Marthinus Erasmus, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Southern Cape. “Quality training of neighbourhood watch members is of critical importance to equip these members with the necessary knowledge to be able to act with confidence and to demonstrate good decision-making. We will therefore start training at this new neighbourhood watch soon,” concludes Erasmus.