Blanco Neighbourhood Watch

How do I become a member of the BNW?

Click on the “Join now” link in the top menu, complete the form, and click on submit. A BNW representative will contact you in the next few days.

How can I get involved?

You can get involved by:
(a) making a financial contribution(s);
(b) joining the active patroller group;
(c) serving on the Executive Committee;
(d) joining the camera watchers’ group (watchers);
(e) reporting suspicious conduct and crime on the BNW’s reporting platforms (predominantly through its Whatsapp groups); and
(f) motivating your family, friends, and neighbours in the Blanco area to join the BNW.

What are the bank account details of the BNW?

The BNW’s bank account details are made available to members once they join. Alternatively, if you wish to contribute financially without joining as a member, kindly contact us on BlancoNW.George@gmail.com.

Do you impose monthly fees to be a member of the BNW?

No fees are imposed for membership of the BNW.

Why should I join the BNW?

Members of the Blanco community must realise that crime is a reality, and George is affected just like the rest of the country. With the South African Police Service being affected by issues with leadership in top positions, resources, and staffing, it is imperative that residents belong to a neighbourhood watch who can patrol, conduct crime prevention operations, and respond to emergencies within their community.

Will the BNW assist me, even if I am not a member?

We are all members of the same community, and crime knows no colour, gender, income bracket, or creed. Our mission is to serve our community, no matter whether a person is a member or makes any contribution. However, we encourage all residents in Blanco to join the BNW and to contribute to its activities.

I do not see any crime statistics for Blanco on your website?

Going forward, the BNW will inform its members via its Whatsapp groups of current crime trends, hotspots, and issues faced by the Blanco community. However, the BNW is not authorised to release interim crime statistics before being officially released by the SAPS, even to its members.

How do I contact the BNW?

For general queries, the BNW can be contacted via email at BlancoNW.George@gmail.com, or telephonically via its secretary at (TBA).

For emergencies, the BNW can be contacted via its Whatsapp member reporting groups, or at the number above.

Is it safe to be a patroller?

Patroller safety is paramount. The BNW has invested heavily in the past few years in appropriate training and equipment for its patrollers. Therefore, although no activity in life is without risk (e.g., you can suffer injury, loss or even death simply by driving to work), the BNW successfully mitigates risk to its patrollers, by training and equipping them.

I am a senior citizen, how can I contribute to BNW patroller activities?

We encourage able-bodied senior citizens to participate as day-time patrollers (only monitoring and reporting suspicious activity), or as watchers. Every contribution helps.

What are the requirements to be a patroller?

You must be above the age of 18 years, able-bodied, and you must have no criminal record. We encourage the men in our community to step up and take responsibility for their own safety, and that of their families and community. Women are – of course – also welcome to join. An alternative is to join as a watcher.

How does the BNW communicate with its members?

The BNW communicates with its members via its Whatsapp community groups. Regular patrol updates and crime trends will be posted to its members on such groups. Although the BNW has an extant Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlancoNeighbourhoodWatch), such page is not regularly monitored.

What is the difference between the BNW and the CPF?

The BNW is a neighbourhood watch, constituted and mandated by the Blanco community to protect, serve, and advance the safety of – specifically – Blanco.

The Community Police Forum (CPF) is constituted to improve communication between the SAPS and the community, to promote transparency, and to foster joint problem-solving and co-operation with a view to improving service delivery by the SAPS. The police are answerable to the communities they serve. The CPF represents the community’s interests and monitors the SAPS’ service delivery. The CPF fosters closer ties between the SAPS and the community.

How does the BNW protect me as resident of Blanco?

The BNW monitors community safety in Blanco by conducting daily patrols in Blanco, communicating safety issues to the SAPS with the assistance and advice of the CPF, responding to emergencies, and initiating community safety operations in its area.

In giving effect to its objectives, the BNW acts in conjunction with the SAPS, the CPF, other neighbourhood watches, and security companies. In Blanco, the BNW is especially supported by Fidelity ADT (Garden Route).

What are the contact details for emergency services in George?

Please see the “Important Numbers” page here.