What in the name of all that is fair allows a local crime fighter to be summarily ‘suspended’ from his ‘job’ a year after he received a suspended sentence for an ‘assault case’ brought against him by a miscreant who dropped a ‘double K, middle A’ in the middle of the street? Especially when the SAPS and parliament continue to flout their own rules that require their employees to have an unblemished record?
In their own unique way the people of Richmond Hill empowered one man, Alan Mounter, to be their neighbourhood watch point man in the i-Patrol vehicle. Alan did an excellent job in encouraging loiterers to find another space, rubbish removal, white knight to damsels in distress, security patroller, shoulder to cry on and even assisting the Longhair and I when my vehicle was broken into in the Settlers Park parking off Essexvale.
In essence Alan became the Bobby on the Beat of old – a comfort to many and keeper of the faith.
Alan’s suspension and the removal of the community sponsored i-Patrol vehicle from his control will be discussed fully at a community meeting on Wednesday 6 June at the Methodist Church Hall, Edward Street at 5:30pm chaired by Mr John Preller (CPF Chairman).
As one of the residents said; “Alan was really doing an excellent job, he ‘cleaned’ our area and got rid of some very unsavoury characters with the result that Richmond Hill is now one of the safest neighbourhoods in the city.
“Some time ago Alan had some sort of altercation with some ‘spoofed out of his scull’ idiot that took a crap in the middle of the street or something silly like that – can not even remember the entire issue – BUT said idiot went to police said he was ‘assaulted’. The case was opened and a year later our chairperson received a suspended sentence. Suddenly, out of the blue, the I-Patrol vehicle was ‘removed’ by the Chairperson of SCF (whatever that is) saying that as our Chairperson now has a ‘criminal’ record we have to choose another. But those of us that actually reside in Richmond Hill are very happy with the way Alan did things and we support him 100%.”
Alan’s side of the story can be seen on the Richmond Hill Neighbourhood Blog along with comments from residents.
Three of the comments:
- Suzi-K says; “We all need to rally behind you and show we will not be steamrollered, it is OUR neighbourhood and we are paying to protect it since the cops (who we are also paying, with our taxes, but getting NO value for that money!!!)”
- Noreen says; “I fully endorse what Sue Hoppe has written and urge every member of our Richmond Hill community to come out in support of you on Wednesday evening. There are many residents who have benefitted – without contribution or participation – from your efforts, and it’s now time for all to step up to the plate and fight for our Chairman and our Forum.”
- Jan dde Klerk (Netcare) says; “In Richmond Hill we have dedication and commitment as the driving forces. The crime rate actually decreased, not because of but despite of the presence of the SAPS. An interesting dimension was introduced when a sponsor (Williams Hunt) came onboard in the Bay under the auspices of ‘assisting the community in crime prevention’. This incident questions the commitment of Williams Hunt to crime prevention. The company reacted suspiciously swift on questionable information. Perhaps they have committed a vehicle to the affluent areas where most of their senior personnel are now the targets of criminals and where the incompetent SAPS is their only means of protection? The company may end with egg on the face.”
By the time of publication I had had no response to my e-mail requests sent to John Preller and Jeremy Davis. Should they respond before the meeting to-morrow I shall place their comments here.
