HARTIES COMMUNITY
CRIME WATCH
Any questions?
Since the Harties Community CrimeWatch concept was first annaounced as a possible contributor to community safety on 7 January 2015, there has been some confusion. Many people have asked very relevant questions while others yet seem to be totally confused by what exactly this project will offer, in contrast to some efforts already in place from other role-players. In an effort to alay fears and in an effort to inform and educate, we have answered the most pressing questions below:
01
How much will this cost?
This is easy to answer: R 200.00 per month for individual households, R50.00 per month per household for housing estates and R 250.00 per month for small businesses. Franchised businesses or large concerns (more than 25 employees on-site at any particular time) will pay R 500.00 per month. The costing model is designed to enable the community to benefit from the project for the minimum amount of financial strain.
We get and understand that not every community member will be in a position to contribute, but by making it this affordable, we hope that more members of the community will commit and contribute while everyone, including businesses and housing estates will make it possible for us to serve the whole community from day one.
This is not a service that will be offered on a per-client basis.
Everyone contributes to total community safety and not only to their own. This enables us to move and adjust our focus in response to crime trends and patterns.
02
Will it compete with security companies?
Not at all.
Each household, housing estates or businesses can decide how many layers of security they would prefer to have. We offer only community-wide patrols, per-incident tactical reaction and stationery security for vulnerable targets during high-risk cycles - like at schools in mornings and afternoons.
We will not be offering single-dwelling security services, we will not sell-, install-, monitor- or market alarm systems or private (single-dwelling or address-specific) security services. We will not provide "guarding" in the classical sense and we intend to cooperate and support the efforts of all security service providers.
We eagerly anticipate even entering into support partnerships with local security service providers.
03
Is this not just another Neighborhood Watch?
No.
Neighborhood Watches are (legally) defined as community safety programs where community members organise themselves and act as "eyes and ears" for the police.
Neighborhood watches are normally area-bound, do not charge for services, do not remunerate patrollers, do not provide security or protection services and operate only as and when community volunteers are available.
The typical Neighborhood Watch Member (patroller) is unarmed (or possibly carries a firearm only for self defence), is not legally qualified to act as a security officer, is not a registered security officer, does not have the training and qualification of a security officer and acts strictly as a volunteer. He can skip duties or leave if he is tired. He has no legal obligation to act or react and might even be accountable if he does.
Harties Community Crime Watch Patrollers will be heavily armed, tactically trained, duly registered and qualified, fully fledged security officers with all the powers and protection afforded to them by law.
04
How will this affect Neighborhood Watches?
Harties Community CrimeWatch intends to assist, support, train and protect Neighborhood Watch members wherever possible. As the eyes and ears of the community, Neighborhood Watches fulfil a vital role in the fight against crime in our area.
Neighborhood Watches typically patrol at night and often after midnight. This is also unfortunately the period when there is a higher likelihood of an encounter with a criminal, as less people are on the streets and criminals typically become more active.
Harties CrimeWatch intends to intensify support efforts during these dangerous periods and will endeavor to form associations with all Neighborhood Watches that will include regular (half-hourly) check-ins with Neighborhood Watch Patrollers to further ensure their safety.
Our free training to members will invariably filter down into and enhance the capacity of Neighborhood Watches.
We consider them our clients as well.
05
Is this even legal?
Harties Community CrimeWatch is a legally registered business.
Like every other security service provider, we cannot provide any security or protection services until we are duly registered and approved by PSIRA - the Private Security Regulatory Authority.
Until we achieve this status (there is a process, due diligence, police clearance, office inspection and payment for registration invovled) and get an official PSIRA number, we will not be providing any protection or security services or accepting any money towards such services. But we will accept donations towards achieving our equipment and registration goals.
This having been said - we will be as legal as any other security service provider when we achieve legal registration status. But we will need support from the Hartbeespoort Community before we commit to the onerous financial and due diligence processes to achieve registration status as a Private Security Service Provider.