It was no April fools joke when Goodwood Residents Safety Patrol (GRSP) was officially established on 1 April.
They launched their first campaign during the month of Ramadaan, patrolling the adjacent streets to the Goodwood Street Mosque.
Since then they have been organising vehicle, foot and stationary patrols throughout the greater Goodwood area. “We are not bound by the borders of Goodwood, so we are often seen patrolling in surrounding neighbourhoods,” said Jerome Hendricks, chair of GRSP.
GRSP started with seven members and currently boasts 31 active members. The patrollers have been working towards eradicating the growing number of criminal activities in and around the area.
When TygerBurger asked the patrollers about the assault allegations against them, they slammed all allegations, stating that they were never involved in any form of assault.
Many successful operations
According to Hendricks, they have had many successful operations and averted many potential house break-ins, robberies and drug deals. Some of their interventions have led to successful arrests. “We have also been responsible for assisting in the control of fires caused by the vandalising of electrical boxes and those affecting properties, where the fire brigade was not yet on the scene,” Hendricks said.
A safe place for all
GRSP is a registered, non-profit company and a recognised organisation. Patrick Lombardo, vice-chair at GRSP, said the ages in their group stretch from as young as 18 years up to over 60 years.
They are not affiliated with any security clusters and therefore do not require clearance by the local Community Policing Forum (CPF) or any of the NHW groups.
According to Hendricks they do not require the permission of the Department of Community Safety (DOCS).
“We also work side by side with Goodwood police and have regular meetings with the station commander to ascertain the security needs of the community.”
They aim to bring Goodwood back to what it was a mere 10 to 15 years ago. A safe place for all, especially for the children in the community who are currently unable to walk and play in the streets and local parks.
Vagrants
Public play areas are now overrun by vagrants who are attracted to the area due to people’s generosity which then leads to the prospect of criminal activity to feed their lifestyles.
GRSP asks respected residents to refrain from feeding or giving money to vagrants in the area, especially those begging at the supermarkets.
According to Hendricks, these vagrants will leave the area if an opportunity does not present itself.
Hendricks said instead of feeding people who knock at the door or who beg at intersections, make your donation to a registered shelter, that does an amazing job at assisting these vagrants in finding their loved ones, integrating them back into normal society, helping them with addiction and keeping them off the streets which is detrimental to their safety and the safety of others.
Join GRSP
GRSP invites all concerned community members, especially those wanting to give back, to join and assist them in creating a safer environment for all who reside in the neighbourhood.
Contact GRSP should you wish to join, whether it be as an eyes-and-ears-only member or as an active-patrolling member.
