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PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay crime fighters have a new resource in its armoury – a new mobile joint operational centre, in the form of a caravan.
Chair of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA), Bruce Richardson, said at the launch of the centre on Monday, August 7 that it had been purchased by PBCPA operational head Otto Olivier, who is also part of Plett Security, and Andries Trahms of Smhart Alarms.
It was equipped with contributions made by, among others, Buco, Kwikspar, Dunlop Zone, Plett Watch members and Didget.
"We are very grateful to all concerned as this will assist in taking crime combating and emergency services to a new level. The caravan will be extensively equipped and be an independent operational unit which can be deployed by any member organisation of the PBCPA to service operational needs," Richardson said.
He said that its base would be at the Total garage near the Beacon Island hotel from where its resources would be charged and the caravan deployed.
This was only the first ticked item on their wish list, Richardson said. "Even with this new resource we need to continue to grow and equip the organisation and take it to a new level as we seek to eliminate crime from our streets. As we bring pressure on criminals operating in our area and adapt to their changes in behaviour, they do likewise and we need to keep ahead of the game and keep the pressure on them. Targeting crime is to target a moving target and it is time we took an operational quantum leap forward."
He said the PBCPA executive committee has, after careful consideration, come to the conclusion that there is a need to purchase, equip and employ staff for operating a dedicated PBCPA patrol vehicle.
"One of the weaknesses we presently have in terms of our operations is that all those involved are part-time volunteers. Our response time to a call-out is extraordinary, but all participants need to return to families or jobs. In short, the on-site duration is relatively short which gives criminals the opportunity to go into hiding and return to their activities once the responders have returned to other duties," he said.
"A dedicated vehicle will have no such constraints and will be able to remain on site until the problem is resolved."
Richardson said those carrying out patrolling and responding are only benefiting from very limited sponsorship and are largely using their own resources. "If we spread the load, the contribution made by each one of us for the benefit received will be very small," he concluded.
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