Westville cops opt for bicycle patrol
Five cops are set to ditch their patrol vehicles and instead patrol Westville central business district by bicycle.
|||Durban - Five Westville cops are set to ditch their patrol vehicles and instead patrol Westville central business district by bicycle to combat crime.
They put forward the proposal to the Westville SAPS management and the Westville Community Policing Forum on Thursday.
They will create a central task team and patrol the CBD hotspots to target crimes such as robberies of individuals, general theft, theft of motor vehicles, theft out of motor vehicles, drug abuse and assaults.
Mike Myers, chairman of the Westville Community Policing Forum, is now gathering support for the proposal to become a reality. He said the team would interact with the community and businesses in the CBD and conduct stop and search procedures if they encounter any suspicious activity.
“Police management have given the proposal their blessing as long as the CPF can secure funding for the project. The team has also offered to tie up with other early morning cyclist teams. This will go a long way in reducing and reversing the urban decay that we have been experiencing in recent times,” Myers said.
The CBD includes Church Road, Blair Atholl Road, St James at the Pavilion and Westville Pool area, Waxy’s, Varsity College, Woodcutters, Westwood Mall, Westville Mall and Westville Junction.
“We would have to equip this team with bicycles and specific SAPS approved riding gear. First indications show that this amount will be around R25 000 to R35 000,” Myers said.
Myers hopes to reduce this bill with help from sponsors, who could donate equipment or offer discounts.
Myers urged those willing to contribute to the project to e-mail cpfwestville@gmail.com
Daily News