PBCPA takes crime by the horns

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association’s arsenal of crime-fighting tools has increased once again, this time with a Buffel – an infantry mobility used by the SA National Defence Force during the SA Border War.

“It is with immense pride and a deep gratitude for all the donations, sponsorship and funds received through fundraisers, that we were able to acquire a second-hand Buffel,” PBCPA operations head Otto Olivier said.

He added that they revamped and upgraded the vehicle over several months. “We are positive the Buffel will serve the greater Bitou area well.”

Olivier said the vehicle would enable them to enter dangerous situations to assist or to evacuate people without fear of responders or passengers getting injured.

The next step in the project would be to equip the Buffel with a 5mm thick steel and glass canopy to protect the response squad when deployed in perilous situations – but only once enough funds had been raised, Olivier said.

Over the years the PBCPA has acquired several crime-fighting tools to bolster its efforts, including an armoured minibus – a R1.4-million bullet-proof vehicle donated by a local businessman. Other additions include a Toyota Land Cruiser which is used to fight crime off the beaten track as well as an off-road motorcycle. Their existing resources include a dog unit, a rapid response team, a JOCC and a CCTV control room.

The PBCPA consists of local police, the Bitou law enforcement, private security companies and other organisations – to assist in crime-prevention efforts.
“We are working together with all security and emergency partners towards a safer and crime-free Plettenberg Bay,” Olivier said.

A Buffel with a 5mm thick steel-and-glass canopy is one of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association's new crime-fighting tools, to protect the response squad when deployed in perilous situations.