One of the few very active Neighbourhood Watches in Port Elizabeth is in Richmond Hill. Their activities are well known to residents as a result of some very vocal and civic minded citizens who do not take anyone trampling on their rights lying down.
At around 7:55 pm last night, 11 February 2013 a keen eyed local resident, Robert Bruwers, spotted some suspicious activity in St Patricks Street and phoned his concerns through to the Neighbourhood watch controller for the night, Amanda Wellmann. Suburb patroller, Jonathan Mercer was despatched along with back up Karl Wellmann. Upon approaching the object of concern, a Nissan LDV with a Kariba Batteries sign on it, the miscreants were seen scarpering into the night.
Presuming that the bakkie had been stolen and not finding an after hours number, the patrollers then proceeded to the Kariba Batteries premises to find an emergency number for the owner. They then proceeded to fetch the owner and manager – the vehicle had been parked outside the manager’s residence in Stanley Street for the night. It was confirmed by the manager and owner that the vehicle had been stolen.
Apparently the Stanley Street car guard was unaware of the disappearance of a vehicle from his beat.
It was reported that 10111 were phoned a total of four times to attend to the scene. The last phone call was at around 9:30 and the bemused controller confirmed that 1011 was ‘not busy’ and that he vehicle ‘should have been there already’. Said vehicle did then arrive with lights flashing.
Understandably the Richmond Hill Neighbourhood Watch are pretty proud of themselves.
Alan Straton
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Well done guys and girls! Pity the residents were once again left to fend for themselves due to SAPS’ ignorance/lack of commitment/incompetence. One suspects that the SAPS will act much quicker when a resident is accused of assaulting a perpetrator once again. I suppose His Masters Voice will “investigate” this lack of response by the SAPS (!)