Fight Against Crime: A WhatsApp group working to keep our streets safe
'Fight Against Crime’ shares crucial information about issues such as stolen cars, break-ins, and suspicious individuals loitering in the area.
Zain Johnson interviews Quennie and Jay Jay, admins of Fight Against Crime.
Listen below.
A recent article by journalist Julian Jansen showcases the remarkable efforts of community members who have formed WhatsApp groups to combat crime in their neighbourhoods.
These anti-crime initiatives, like 'Fight Against Crime', share crucial information about stolen cars, break-ins, and suspicious, loitering people.
Potential members undergo a background check before being admitted to 'Fight Against Crime'.
Once accepted, they can quickly receive real-time updates on the latest criminal activities – often even before the police are informed or take action.
Quennie emphasises that the group's mission is to amplify community voices, gather vital on-the-ground information, and alert authorities to emerging dangers and areas needing support.
"We have a vision which is to have a crime-free and secure community, where residents live without fear."
- Quennie, Fight Against Crime
How it works:
- Information is exchanged daily, 24/7, within the group.
- Community members verify the details, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
- Once confirmed, this credible information is relayed to trusted officers in the South African Police Service (SAPS), who take swift action from there.
This collaborative approach has led to several successful arrests, underscoring the effectiveness of their process.
Jay Jay notes that they communicate with on-scene contacts and eyewitnesses to confirm that law enforcement has arrived.
This ongoing dialogue ensures they stay informed and can monitor the situation until it is resolved.
"We'd like to actually thank our Saps members and our law enforcement and our metro officers that assist us in this."
- Jay Jay, Fight Against Crime
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.