Crime under control in Allens Nek

The Allens Nek Residence Association (ANRA) has reason to boast. “In the last three years since our neighbourhood watch began patrolling, with the aid of our local security companies, we have reduced crime to between two and five percent,” said acting ANRA chairman Tony Wilkenson.

Before the neighbourhood watch began, Allens Nek was riddled with crime due to vagrants being able to move freely between the suburb and the veld, which is situated along the area’s green belt. Spates of burglaries plagued residences, when in a single night as many as three houses could be burgled in one street.

It was then Wilkenson realised that if he made a conscious effort to get to know his neighbours and exchange numbers, they could notify each other if and when they noticed any suspicious activity in and around their homes. From there they organised nightly patrols, and with the help of their hired security companies like Beagle Watch, Londoloza and ADT, they have had great success.

Neighbours began assisting each other in securing fences around their homes and cordoning off streets which lead to the veld. Coffee stations were set up on street corners to thank security guards coming off shift for their hard work patrolling the streets night and day.

“All the neighbours in Humming Bird, Falcon and Gompou Streets know each other,” said Wilkenson. “Through team work, we’ve caught many suspects attempting to break into homes. We’ve also stopped vagrants moving freely through our neighbourhood. Now it’s our children that rule our streets,” he concluded happily.

Anyone in Allens Nek who would like to be involved in the ANRA can contact Tony Wilkenson at tony@travalgar.co.za.