PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - “Gone are the days that the safety and security are solely the responsibility of the police.”
These are the words of Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier after the ogranisation decided to establish a tactical response squad.
“Gone are also the days where an individual or groups are not trained to respond to an alarm, a panic alarm or to respond to an incident or even assist in case of an emergency. That is why the PBCPA operations team has taken the decision to establish a tactical response squad,” Olivier said.
He added the squad was being groomed and trained by experienced ex-police officers and military soldiers.
“Input or guidance is obtained by experts in the field. Special training in combat skills, weapons, offensive tactics, defensive tactics, fieldwork and crime scene management is being implemented. This also includes instructions in criminal law, tactical training, fire prevention, first aid and physical fitness. Capabilities include contingency planning, intelligence gathering, and medical assistance.”
Olivier further said the squad had been training for several months now had carried out various crime scene simulations. “It is said that practice makes perfect.”
On Friday 11 May a crime scene simulation training activity will be held along the Airport Road area. Olivier warned residents that there would be substantial activity in the area that evening.
“The community policing forum was established many years ago through which neighborhood watch groups, law enforcement entities, security companies and police work together in crime prevention.
"The PBCPA has been working relentlessly over the past eight years towards our founding goals: working with all security and emergency stakeholders towards a safer and crime-free Plettenberg Bay.”
He added that their goal now was to be ready, effective and “on point” in any incident or emergency situation in the coastal holiday town.
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