City stop additional, community funded N2 patrolling?!
Cape Town’s member of Traffic and Law Enforcement – J. P. Smith, has stopped the additional community funded N2 patrolling initiative by Somerset West residents.
Helderberg Crime Watch, (HCW) was approached by the Chairman of the Somerset West Community Police Forum, Mr B. Smith, after additional N2 patrolling has taken place over the last few months.
City warns – do not stop on the N2!
This initiative was driven by the horrendous and brutal attack on W/O Holz who lost his life, as well as the attack on Jacque Loots, who was assaulted and stabbed by the same criminals.
“I approached HCW to assist in protecting our community, with the understanding that we need to boost our security on the N2, especially, in the areas where there are no Street Lights on the N2,”
said Mr B. Smith, adding,
“Initially we had the full support from all Law Enforcement Agencies and for the past three months we have had a incident free N2.”
Then, last Friday at about 5.45am the Security Officer was pulled off the road by a City Ghost Squad Member. He proceeded to confront the security officer and inquired about the flashing lights of the vehicle; the Ghost Squad Member then took the vehicles license off the car and gave the Security Officer a summons.
“I immediately contacted J.P. Smith and inquired why this is happening. At first he was perplexed and said it not one of his officers,”
said Mr B.Smith.
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It was eventually discovered that it was indeed one of the Metro Officers. The Metro have been extremely helpful over those 3 months, even inviting the CPF to their Joint Operations Meetings in Goodwood. Over this period of 3 months HCW have assisted over 130 motorists who became stranded on the N2, and the accolades from the residents and community has been overwhelming.
“It was our aim to improve the safety to the commuters on the N2, and work closely with both Province and Metro so that we can prevent another Holz incident on the N2,”
said Mr B.Smith.
We are all aware that the City and SANRAL are at loggerheads with each other over the Toll Roads proposal, and no additional expenditure will be invested on the N2 until this court case is finalized. The lack of overhead street lighting is the responsibility of SANRAL.
“But, their squabble is putting the lives of our commuters at risk on the N2 and I cannot accept that,”
added Smith
After numerous telephonic discussions and emails, Mr Richard Bosman, then sent a email requesting that we continue with our patrols, but within the framework of the law.
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As it stands they cannot continue the patrols under these conditions, as only official sanctioned vehicles are allowed to patrol the National Roads.
The HCW patrol are not allowed to stop and assist vehicles, as only an inoperable vehicle is legally allowed to be stationary on the N2.
HCW, patrol on the verge of the N2 at 4am in the morning to ensure that there are no Bricks, Concrete or Metal obstructions in the road. This is currently against the law.
If an obstruction is identified on the N2, the Security Officer may not use flashing lights, it is expected that he use his cars emergency lights, and only have his static light on the roof of the vehicle. Motorist traveling at speeds of 120km/h will hit these obstacles and the result would be self evident.
The CPF is truly concerned about the way the City of Cape Town has approached this initiative, which is community funded and driven at no cost to the City or the Province.
“I have tried to reason with the City Officials, but to no avail,”
added Smith.
The Safe N2 Project for Cape Town residents
The stance of the City is putting people’s lives at risk, HCW are prepared to commence with their additional N2 patrolling tomorrow – if the City could be more lenient.