Silverglen Blue Zone to make residents feel safe again
Hundreds of Silverglen residents have partnered with Blue Security to strengthen proactive policing of the suburb with the launch of a “Blue Zone” special project, that will see a dedicated vehicle on patrol from August 1.
Silverglen Selfhelp Committee chairman Shaun Hammond said more than a dozen residents had joined forces to regularly patrol the area, following a spate of serious and violent crimes several year ago, resulting in a dramatic drop in crime. “We as committed fathers stood together in our fight against crime and reduced crime by about 96%. We also have such a good relationship with our local police who respond to our complaints after hours and come out to assist us,” Hammond said.
He said residents had managed to “take back” the Silverglen nature reserve, once a frequent thoroughfare for criminals, for recreational use.
Creation of the Silverglen Blue Zone
From the left is Henk van Bemmelen (Blue Security MD) and Shaun Hammond (head of Silverglen Self Help). Kneeling is Mukesh Ramdeo (Blue Security sales rep) and Stephen Wimborne (Blue Security special projects manager). At the back is Dr Sudesh Rathilal (Deputy head of Silverglen Self Help) and reaction officer Shaun Kanni.
According to Hammond, patrollers were in constant radio communication and responded to incidents at all times of the day and night, but the launch of the dedicated patrol vehicle would now provide an exclusive armed response service as well as proactive policing of the suburb. He said around 300 residents had decided to join forces with Blue Security because of its strong track record of providing a “quality service” in the local security industry. He thanked the committee for its involvement in the patrols and the special project.
Blue Security Special Projects manager Stephen Wimborne said the company was delighted to partner with residents. “We know from experience that the introduction of a dedicated vehicle to patrol a suburb as a “Blue Zone” transforms the profile of the area as one that becomes more difficult for criminals to thrive in,” he said.
“Having a dedicated vehicle that only responds to incidents in a specific geographical area within a suburb not only impacts response times positively, but also strengthens proactive policing. Residents are able to filter intelligence, such as any suspicious vehicles or activity, to the patrol officer in the vehicle, for immediate investigation.”
Wimborne added that criminals soon got the message that it was more difficult to commit crime and get away with it in special project areas. “We find that our officers regularly make arrests in these suburbs and residents are able to feel safe again, knowing that our officer is patrolling the area and vigilantly keeping watch,” he said.
Meet our officers
Rescuing an elderly man from a fire, or saving someone from a suicide attempt, are activities all in a day’s work for the team of Blue Security armed response officers who will be patrolling the Silverglen Blue Zone special project.
According to Wimborne the armed response officers reporting for duty came with several awards for their dedicated service and many arrests under their belts. They will report for duty in the suburb on August 1.
Officers Shaun Kanni, Naren Singh and Vishal Lutchminarian jointly have around 40 years of experience in the local security industry and have proved invaluable members of the company’s team. “These dedicated officers have rescued residents from certain death and stood by to assist members of the public in their time of need when they might have fallen prey to opportunistic criminals. They have all made numerous arrests during their many years in the field,” Wimborne said.
Singh had rescued a resident from committing suicide after he responded to the scene, broke down the door and held him up to prevent him from dying. He received the Blue Security Bravery Award for this deed. “Vishal was off duty when he noticed a house on fire in Chatsworth and, without a second thought for his own safety, immediately rushed inside to rescue an elderly man from the flames.”
Wimborne added that Kanni, who was always willing to go the extra mile, had stood guard to assist a motorist who had broken down on the M7 freeway late at night. “Without his assistance the motorist might have fallen prey to opportunistic criminals before help arrived at the scene.”
Wimborne said the officers were looking forward to being of service to the Silverglen community.
