More Neighbourhood Watches accredited and receive bicycles in Beaufort West

During a recent visit to Beaufort West, Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen handed over 8 bicycles to 4 neighbourhood watches (NHWs), with each receiving 2. Of these, 3, Hillside, Graceland and Nieuveld Park NHW’s also officially received their accreditation certificates as fully-fledged NHWs. 

This brings the number of accredited NHW’s in the area to 8, and they are, Rustdene, Nieuveld Park, Uitskut, Essopville, Makoekoebult, Hillside and Graceland. The 8 NHW’s have a total membership of 125. 

Minister Reagen Allen said: “Congratulations to the 3 NHW’s for answering the call to become fully accredited. Our neighbourhood watches play a critical role in assisting to create safer communities and improving the visibility of law enforcement in our areas. We know that our residents feel safer when they have an experience of visible law enforcement. These brave volunteers are the extra eyes and ears in their respective areas, and constantly assists law enforcement agencies by providing intelligence about where crime is occurring. By providing the relevant and necessary resources, we are ensuring that they can continue being effective in their crime fighting efforts.” 

Minister Reagen Allen continued: “We are aware that the 3 newly accredited NHW’s still require their full starter kits. These starter kits, which consist of torches, water bottles, caps, a NHW flag, whistles, T-shirts, reflector vests, string bags, a storage box and a first aid kit, will be delivered to them in due course. We are fully committed to support these and all our NHWs across our province.” 

“We are indebted to our NHWs, farm watches, Community Policing Forums (CPF’s) and all other sectors across the Western Cape, for doing their bit to combat crime, create safer communities and support visible law enforcement,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.