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THE increase of criminal activities in suburban areas have spurred communities to organise themselves into neighbourhood watch groups to ensure safer environments.
The Community Policing Forum (CPF) in Uitenhage has spearheaded the idea of neighbourhood watches for many years. They now wish to equip members with more skills.
“In safeguarding communities, it often occurs that a person comes upon an emergency situation and then does not know exactly what to do. Therefore we need to further equip patrollers with basic first aid skills, in keeping our neighbourhoods safe,” said Pat Uns-worth, chairperson of the CPF in Uitenhage.
She explained that it often happens that patrollers have to attend to people injured as a result of street fights, drinking sprees or accidents.
“As our patrollers do their best to assist, it is not always possible to do much without the necessary skills. Basic first aid can save you a trip to casualty or even save a life,” said Unsworth.
The CPF together with Relay Emergency Medical Services has organised programmes on basic first aid.
“The first was at the Church Street Police Station and it was very successful. Part two will be an open day whereby the public are invited to see how much can be learned about first aid and to assist where there is an emergency.
“We all need help and advice at times when a medical problem occurs,” said Unsworth.
Know how to help
The public are invited to attend the open day on first aid which will be hosted at the open area next to Engen Penford fuel station in Graaff Reinet Road. It will be held on Friday, November 9th from 17:00 onwards.
“Relay will have an ambulance on site and medics will show the public how and what to do in case of an emergency situation.
“This is a free service to the public, so bring your family and children, let them be informed as to what to do when somebody has had a cut, bump, bang or has fallen,” said Unsworth. -HEILIE COMBRINCK
