Cape Town: The Neighbourhood Watch Support Programme has evolved over the past 18 years, from reflective jackets, whistles and torches to infrared night vision binoculars and even the introduction of a cell-phone app.
Reportedly, the programme is one of the latest recipients which has newly formed Neighbourhood Watch (NW) in Maitland.
The Maitland Community Crime Control NW has recently registered with the Western Cape Provincial Policing Oversight and Community Safety Department. The registration will now officially allow the City of Cape Town to assist and support the newly-formed structure.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith met with the NW on Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025 to outline the benefits of the support programme by the City of Cape Town and the role of NWs in general public safety efforts.
Smith also handed over the equipment, including infrared night vision binoculars to improve the patrols of the group and ability to identify the potential threats.
The Neighbourhood Watch Support Programme has evolved greatly in 18 years. It started off with training in community policing concepts and the handover of equipment for patrols. The range of its equipment and training opportunities has increased over time to match the change in crime patterns and demands on community safety structures.
Last year in 2024, the Safety and Security Directorate provided training opportunities, which included preparedness for civil unrest situations, crime preventions and first aid.
As per the sources, the City of Cape Town provided training to 47 NWs during the period of April 2024 to February 08, 2025. NWs represented the non-limited areas, that are:
- Southfield
- Meadows
- Strand
- Somerset West
- Gordon’s Bay
- Dennemere
- Rosedale
- Sunbird Park
- Mountview
- Wesbank
- Harlyn
- Melkbosstrand
- Penhill
- Fisantekraal
- Malibu Village
- Matroosfontein
- Cafda
The training programmes included basic training, refresher training and NW control room training. For the current financial year, ward allocation funding of more than R4.2 million was made available to Safety and Security to assist NWs.
Notably, the directorate also designed a user-friendly cell-phone application that can help NWs to:
- Log Patrol Times
- Indicate Response Status to Incidents
- Capture and Report Incident Details
- Assist with Administration and Closer Cooperation with the Enforcement Agencies of the City of Cape Town.
Moreover, the App will be made available to NWs in more phases.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith said that over the years, they have seen the importance of supporting the Neighbourhood Watches in the important community safety work they do.
Smith added that they have proven to have immense value in assisting communities and work closely with the enforcement agencies as well as the South African Police Service (SAPS). The dedication and perseverance of NW members who gave up their free time to protect and serve.
“It is a motivation to all of us,” said JP Smith. He confirmed that the City of Cape Town will continue to support and assist as many of these structures as they are able to.