KNYSNA NEWS - After 10 years of hard work by the HRF CrimeWatch and the Knysna Police to make the Hunters Home, Rexford and Fisher Haven areas much safer for residents, the neighbourhood watch group has been honoured by the Western Cape provincial government.

When the Hunters Home, Rexford and Fisher Haven (HRF) CrimeWatch was started in 2013 there was an average of 30 break-ins a month, but this has now been reduced to between three and four each month. 

This success has been achieved through co-operation between residents, Allsound Security and police via the Community Police Sub-Forum meetings where vital information has been shared alongside patrols by the police and CrimeWatch volunteers.

The Western Cape Department of Community Safety presented a special certificate of appreciation at the annual general meeting of the Knysna CPF last month, that was received by Michael Alekshin on behalf of HRF CrimeWatch. 

The certificate states: "The investment we make is immeasurable. Ultimately the more we help one another the more we help ourselves".

"This award really belongs to the many people who have worked bravely to defeat the crime problem and build a better community," Alekshin said. "It has not been easy, especially in the early days when we went out on regular night patrols.

"Fortunately, modern technology in the form of cameras has come to our aid and now records the evidence to ensure that criminals and vandals can be successfully prosecuted."

He said the cameras were expensive but they had proved to be good investments that had delivered results and become the unfailing eyes of the neighbourhood. 

"We would like to thank all those who have contributed funds for the purchase of the cameras and for the many hours of work in monitoring and analysing the information they have provided. We urge those residents who are not members of HRF CrimeWatch to join and help us in the battle against crime."

Alekshin said the bad news for criminals is that the cameras are getting smaller and cheaper so it is now easier to conceal them and put even more of them to work.

Richard Thorpe, chairman of the HRF Residents Association, added his thanks for the hard and dangerous work done by the police and their partner Allsound in confronting the challenge of increasing levels of attempted crime.

"The HRF CrimeWatch has been success-ful because we have worked together, sharing information and patrolling the area in teams. It hasn't been easy for any of us, but we all have the satisfaction of knowing that it has been worthwhile and that we have succeeded in significantly reducing the crime rate. The CCTV cameras have been particularly successful in helping us to do this."

Chairperson of the Greater Knysna Community Police Forum Cheryl Britz, on behalf of the Knysna CPF, commended and thanked the affiliated HRF Vigilance Neighbourhood Watch Committee and all its members on reaching their 10-year milestone. "The proactive HRF neighbourhood watch can be proud. Partner collaboration remains key and they are a prime example of what can be achieved when neighbours volunteer to look out for each other to build a safe and family-orientated community."

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