"When we first started patrolling the neighbourhood, reported crime was driven down by 80%," said neighbourhood watch chairman, Colin Burgess. He added that the criminals became wise and started breaking in during daylight, which causing crime to rise by 60%. This increase has necessitated a daytime patrol to be added to the group's activities.
Proceeds from the boerewors braai will be used to purchase much-needed two-way radios to be used during the day-time patrols. "Not only do we desperately need these radios, but we also need residents to commit to giving us two hours of their time per month," Burgess said. He appealed to residents, especially retired persons, to be the ears and eyes of the Groenvlei Neighbourhood Watch.
The evening ended with lucky draws for the many prizes on offer. The total amount raised was not known at time of going to print.
Groenvlei Neighbourhood Watch membership costs R100 per annum and a local community newspaper had challenged Sedgefield businesses to sponsor the annual licence fees for the two-way radio licenses.
For further information on how to sponsor the radios, residents are encouraged to contact the Sedgefield Tourism office on 044 343 2007.
Lending their support to the boerie bash in Sedgeheld in aid of the Groenvlei Neighbourhood Watch are (from left) Mike Hofhuis (Sedgefield Community Intelligence Centre), Belinda Hobson (Sedgefield Tourism) and Roy Phillips (Sedgefield Ratepayers Association).
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