The 25-hour crack down on crime on 6 October was truly an example of community involvement and support from the SAPS and private security companies, says Linda Goodenough, Community Development Manager for Fidelity ADT. “The day started at 7:00 at the Brackendowns SAPS police station with some good music and everyone enthusiastically signing in for the big day,” she says. For the next 25 hours, the joint initiative intensively patrolled all the crime hotspots as well as random public spaces in Brackendowns, Brackenhurst, Meyersdal, Mayberry Park, Albertsdal, Alrode and Thinasonki.
“It was brilliant to see how everyone arrived with the attitude to work together to bring the crime down in all the areas. Someone mentioned ‘work-hard and play-hard’ and I could feel that spirit as everyone set to do their 25-hour duty for the day and night,” says Goodenough.
All were thanked for their participation and got through the 25-hours thanks to the breakfast supplied by Rawson, the lunch sponsored by Fidelity ADT and Christo’s Pizza, that sponsored the supper and water was sponsored by Sentinel Security companies, Afriforum, the councillor and patrollers from Tinazonke, and Brackendowns SAPS all joined the Brackendowns CPF to fight crime on the day.
“There is no doubt that community engagement is one of the primary ways of reducing crime. High visible patrolling is a clear deterrent to crime. This 25-hours sends a strong message to all that we are taking the problems experienced by the local community seriously,” she says.
“A special mention needs to be made of community members Rodney and Maryann Sprong who opened their house to all the members for the entire 25 hours for pitstops, snacks and endless coffee and tea. A member of the community also baked the most delicious chocolate chip cookies. It was an amazing event,” concludes Goodenough.
ENDS
PREPARED ON BEHALF OF FIDELITY ADT. CONTACT JACQUI RORKE WITH ANY QUERIES ON (011) 463-6372 OR EMAIL JACQUI@FINDLEYPR.CO.ZA