HCPF chairman Marcel Esterhuysen (right) gives Gustav and Jolandie Webbstock their own digital radio.

Dear Henley residents

What an eventful month! Raining, flooding, maintenance, training, medical emergencies and robbery victims left tied up outside Henley on Klip.

Heavy rain and flood warnings, so patrollers were on river watch on Sunday, February 9. At 01:00 on Monday morning the Klip River burst its banks and Rebstein Bridge was closed by Midvaal Fire.

We monitored the river and traffic; the water started to recede and we opened the bridge a little after 08:30. Thank goodness, it was a short flood.

The maintenance team installed a new repeater antenna mast for our digital two-way radio network – in their own time, without pay, on the hottest day in February. We’re also starting to install CCTV cameras in the village.

On February 22, patrollers chased a highly suspicious character (yours truly in a wig) around the streets of Henley on Klip on a training simulation – radio procedures, what to do, and what not to do. It was good practice and good fun too.

Medical responders and the victim empowerment team turned out several times to assist families in crisis.

Remember, HCPF is made up of community volunteers. We are NOT an armed response company and we do not monitor alarms. We are “eyes and ears”. Use the HCPF emergency number 081 813 3912 or the radio if you have one. Watch and report. We need everyone!

Marcel Esterhuysen