The benefits of the 2-way radio network were clearly demonstrated around 3.30 this afternoon by an almost immediate and excellent response by various parties leading to a quick arrest of the perpetrator who had been on my property.
I hope my tale encourages other Obs residents who may be thinking about buying a 1-way radio, for which there is a SPECIAL on at the moment: R2000.00. Whilst taking a short nap, I was woken up by noise on my shed. I switched on my radio, looked outside and saw a coloured guy outside my bedroom, having climbed over the front wall and shed. On announcing “Mayday, Mayday Mayday under attack”…..followed by my situation and radio call sign, I went outside where I saw Brian Amery (Charlie Delta 02) and Justin Ashley, respectively Manager (Obs Mayor) and Chairman of the Obsid on the corner of Station Road and Oxford Road. Brian and Justin also received information as to the whereabouts of the perps from the cleaning staff, who had received their radio just few days ago. By this time the SAPS response vehicle (SW 43) with Constables Ontong (just back from leave) and Barry Mark, Vetus Scholar (Chalie Delta 19) - our always awake patrol coordinator James Cowley (Oscar 19) and his wife (Oscar 42) had joined in the hunt and were asking me for a description of the trespasser over the radio. Within minutes, the SAPS (SW 43) had picked up a suspect in Bishop Road whom I subsequently identified, after which he was formally charged and booked in at the Woodstock Police station. SAPS were looking already for him for some previous misdeed. This exercise makes abundantly clear the value of instantaneous 2-way radio network and the good co-ordination between various role players in reducing crime in the Obsid area. Thank you to all of you, also the other SAPS vehicle (SW14?) and other likely Vetus Scholar patrollers, who immediately dropped whatever they were doing and came to my rescue. This type of quick team work by some 15 persons was amazing and would not have been possible by ordinary phone. Frank (Oscar 32) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Observatory Neighbourhood watch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/obsnw?hl=en
