Update
PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay residents could be excused for thinking they had stumbled onto the set of an action movie when local crime fighters undertook several extensive world-class tactical training sessions over the weekend.
Several role players ensured that those on the front line of crime fighting in the town had some of the best tactical response training in the world.
Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier explained that two of their suppliers, the tactical apparel supplier Magnum and the tactical equipment supplier Tactical Monkey, came to Plettenberg Bay over the weekend to shoot a 40-minute promotional video on Sunday.
They brought world-renowned combat expert Idan Abolnik along. Abolnik is the founder and chief instructor of the Kalah combat system used by Israeli special forces, security forces and law enforcement units around the world.
Abolnik, who served in the Israeli military from the age of 18, developed the system based on Krav Magra.
This video soon turned into a full-scale training exercise involving the Plett Security Rapid Response Unit, various neighbourhood watch groups, security companies and Bitou Law Enforcement.
Various Plett crime fighters undergoing tactical training at the Plettenberg Bay Primary School sports fields.
Olivier said the training covered simulations of an array of scenarios, such as hand-to-hand combat, hostage situations, chasing down vehicles and arresting suspects and approaching buildings with robbers inside.
The training kicked off on Saturday at Crossfit Plett where Plett.Watch members received self-defence training which included scenarios involving armed suspects. The next day the crew moved to the Plettenberg Bay Primary School sports field where several PBCPA members, including the Plett Security Rapid Response Unit, received further training. They ended the training at Buco later in the day where participants were taught ways to approach a building with suspects inside.
Among the participants was actor Maurice Page, who came along to gain combat experience for an upcoming movie.
It appears that Page won't be the only one in the limelight as those who participated will also feature in the video that was shot over the weekend. Olivier said this video is set to be shared around the world.
"It was a fantastic experience. Although we undergo training very regularly, it is also very good to update your skills set as often as possible, as things like responding to various situations can change very quickly," Olivier said.
South African actor Maurice Page (left, with firearm) also underwent the training in preparation for an upcoming movie.
At the Plettenberg Bay Primary School sports fields, PBCPA and other crime fighters underwent tactical training on Sunday.
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