PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The volunteer crime fighters, who give up their time and money to keep the community of Plettenberg Bay safe, are in need of assistance, especially after a series of violent attacks in recent months.
Plett.Watch chairman Marius Venter said the Plett.Watch patrollers and response team were all volunteers who put life and limb on the line to respond to calls for assistance throughout the coastal holiday town. "These patrols and responses are done completely out of our members' own pockets at this stage," Venter said.
He added that it was therefore that the team was reaching out to the community for financial assistance.
"The reason for this request is that our patrollers have recently come under violent attack from a new breed of criminal in town. In the past few years the face of crime has changed. In recent years out of fifty cases we may have had one or two aggressors when confronting a criminal, but in the past two months several of our members had been physically attacked with either knives, screwdrivers or other weapons."
He added to continue to protect these volunteers and for them to be able to continue serving and protecting their community, financial assistance was needed.
"Our aim is to get a minimum of 1250 committed donations of R59 per month on a debit order system where after we will implement a panic button facility that members can wear on their person for immediate assistance," Venter said.
He added they were also in need of equipment for those who would rather support Plett.Watch by donating the necessary tools for the volunteers to enable them to effectively carry out their duty.
These include 20 bulletproof vests at about R4300 each, 24 stab and slash resistant arm guards at about R1000 each, 24 kevlar helmets at about R1900 each, 24 stab and slash resistant gloves at about R400 each, 20 specialised flashlights at about R800 each, pepper spray 24 specialised GSM radios at about R2000 each, one base station radio, mobile data for each member per month, monthly fuel and training.
The Plett.Watch patrollers before a night out keeping an eye on the town. Photo: Supplied
"There is also a very real need for more cameras to be put up in Plett and we have identified some vulnerable positions that need urgent attention." These include the N2 towards the Crags, the N2 towards Knysna, the entrance to Robberg Road from both sides, Maplin, Hanois and Lower Robberg Road, Main Street, Marine Way, Wedge Beach, Whale Tail viewpoint, N2 towards Ferdinand Street, Julia and Bowtie avenues, Zenon Street, Lookout lagoon mouth and Beacon Way.
"These cameras will cost in the vicinity of R20 000 each depending on, among others, the location. Once we are assured of funds we will roll them out on a necessity basis."
"Records of all expenditure will be available for public viewing. We have tried to keep the costs and finances we need as low as possible, while still providing a very necessary function in our town. Please be assured of our commitment and dedication to your safety and security always."
Should anyone wish to assist Plett.Watch banking details are as follow:
Account name: Plett.Watch
Bank: First National Bank
Branch code: 250655
Account number: 62750544366
Reference: Name and surname
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