To Decal Or Not To Decal

Any opinions? Please send them to bonneville@absamail.co.za (or add comment) and I will add them here. Read lower down for some insight.

This from an active patroller:

As newcomers and now active members of the HBNW.....patrolling again this afternoon - we found your comments on Decals or No Decals very relevant and interesting. However has it sparked any comment? We would have thought this was a very serious issue and one which the HBNW would give some direction on?

From VJ: To me the decal issue is a 50/50. With decals you do run the risk of being targetted, but at least they show SAPS, other HBNW as well as the Armed Response units what you are doing. Maybe without them, we'd all be following each other around (like we still do with the newspaper delivery bakkie)? Personally, i dont use them because a) i can never find them and b) they dont stick on a land rover.

JP: I also won't use decals - for one thing I would feel like a mobile target. Second reason is most of the time I am of service in NW is either on response, or just going about normal daily life - to shops or whatever - carrying my radio. More and more NW is just for citizens at all times - not just on patrols. A second question is when to show ones radio. In a shop, in a restaurant, on the beach? Generally I think the sight of radios is a good crime deterrent (eg who would rob Darios with several radios evident?!), but suggest discretion if you walk into an armed robbery, or are likely to be mugged for it . . .

Another patroller writes: I think that the use of the decals gives warning to criminals, and all they simply do is wait till your car has passed and continue, however if you just seem to be 'driving' by they will not feel threatend by a normal civilian and will continue in the act, and hopefully get caught. From a personal safety point of view, Hout Bay is a small village and NW members, especailly woman put themselves at risk, that they may be recognised and possibly targeted in the future

BL says: I feel the decals are a good idea, for several reasons:
- they show people with possible criminal intent that they are being watched. Even if you only drive by it will make them feel a touch uneasy about committing a crime and they may just move on
- it is a good pr exercise in the neighbourhood and may make others sign up as well
- it explains the slow pace of the vehicle
- I honestly don't think displaying a decal will make the car a target - I'm sure the word is out among the dishonest that there is an efficient communication network out there, so attacking a HBNW-decalled car is not a good idea