GLENWOOD
THE spate of business related crimes in Helen Joseph (Davenport) Road in Glenwood was increasing at an alarming rate… until the formation of a crime-busting team.
Now business owners, who were worrying when next their store would be broken into or their staff held up at gunpoint, have a little peace of mind thanks to the Bulwer Community Safety Forum.
They now know they are not alone in the fight against crime.
The forum, started in December and spearheaded by Heather Rorick and businessman Chris Beresford, introduced 14 Bulwer ambassadors (patrollers) to serve and protect local businesses in the area.
“Businesses were broken into and the owners had to beef up their security. A shipping company recently had to close down because prostitutes were approaching clients.
“This area is riddled with crime. Initially, vagrants and drug addicts were posing as car guards and orchestrating car break-ins and robberies.
“As a result, concerned business owners held a meeting and decided on an effective approach to curb crime. Stemming from that, our ambassador programme to patrol crime was launched,” said Rorick.
The ambassadors patrol high-crime roads and assist where patrons or businesses are in need of protection.
They are trained to observe and handle crime situations but do so with little protection for themselves.
Wearing reflector jackets, they are committed to helping people in need and have even chased after criminals.
They receive no basic salary, only a stipend from interested businesses.
Bulwer ambassador Wonderboy Biyela, 23, who started his post four weeks ago, is dedicated to fighting crime and helping those in need.
“There was an incident where a lady could not talk and was lost. She had a note of where she wanted to go. I stopped the Metro officers driving pass, explained the situation and they assisted her. The officers thanked me and I felt at peace doing a good deed for someone else.”
But not everyone appreciates the good work being done.
“We are sometimes threatened by vagrant car guards, pimps and prostitutes. Car guards carry sharp weapons and pimps carry guns and shout at us to move away as a particular area is their territory. The prostitutes swear at us when we tell them to move away. We have to call Metro Police to help us,” said Biyela.
Another patrol ambassador, Thobani Mkhize, 26, said he was passionate about his job.
“My job is good. I really enjoy my job,” Mkhize said.
He, too, has been in harm’s way.
“I won’t forget when I was surrounded by three guys at Davenport Centre, who threatened to kill me if I did not stop my night shifts.
“But what makes me happy, is that one of the guys was arrested and is serving time in jail for mugging one of the ambassadors, assaulting him and threatening to extort money from him,” said Mkhize.
One of the problems is the presence of drug addicts, who posed as car guards.
“When people tell us that we are doing a good job, keeping the area clean and unwanted elements away, we feel good. We like to help fight crime and help communities,” said Mkhize.
Harassed
Businesses are thriving again and owners say they are not as fearful of attacks, thanks to the forum.
“Around the vicinity of our business, there were four hijackings over a weekend during the festive season. Our waitresses feared walking down the road alone. If they worked a night shift, they would get harassed by vagrants.
“With the presence of the ambassadors, I can walk down to Checkers on my own not fearing for my safety,” said Pop Up Society restaurant manageress, Wynitta Cormack.
The Pie House owner also expressed her satisfaction with the forum’s approach to eradicating crime in the area.
“On several occasions, we have had chairs stolen outside the premises, and vagrants who threatened and worried my customers.
“Approaching my shop in the mornings, I would find vagrants sleeping by the entrance.
“Since these patrols, there has been a drastic improvement. Now I feel confident locking up my store whereas I used to fear in the past,” said owner Dina de Freitas.