PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Local crime fighters are attempting to raise funds to maintain and monitor one of their most valuable crime fighting tools – security cameras.
Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier said that they need funds to not only clean their licence plate recognition (LPR) and public domain cameras, but also to cover their monthly radio and camera monitoring fees.
These cameras have proven their worth in recent months with several suspects being apprehended as a result of their efficacy.
One such example is when a call came in about a domestic dispute in a secure estate early last month. The suspect fled the scene and was seen speeding and driving erratically up Piesang Valley onto the N2.
During his high-speed flight, the driver also allegedly collided with two other vehicles.
The vehicle was identified via LPR cameras as it was speeding on the R340. This enabled responders to chase down the vehicle and arrest the suspect.
In October last year the cameras picked up a vehicle that had been stolen in Motherwell, Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. Thanks to a combined operation between the police's highway, rural and crime prevention units, Bitou Law Enforcement and Plett Rapid Response in Qolweni, the vehicle was recovered and the driver and the suspect, who allegedly brought the vehicle to Plettenberg Bay, were arrested.
Olivier said the LPR cameras were installed last year thanks to a Dinner Club fundraiser for the purpose.
To raise funds for the cleaning and monitoring of the cameras, the PBCPA is selling raffle tickets.
The winners stand to receive a night in the luxury Sky Villa honeymoon suite for a couple to the value of R9 500, breakfast included, as well as a dinner voucher for two at Nineteen 89 and a R500 gift voucher from Jack's Paint and Hardware.
Electronic raffle tickets are available from Ina Olivier on 083 271 1142. Tickets will be issued upon proof of payment, which can be sent to the PBCPA treasurer, Paul Pretorius, on 072 898 6554.
Those interested can also assist by selling tickets to family and friends via ticket booklets with five tickets each.
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