Dear Glenwood UIP Contributors
I hope you are all well and surviving as well as possible in the early stages of Stage 4 of our national lockdown.
This is just a brief update for you on how we are managing the GUIP during this very difficult lockdown period. It was established very early on in the process that our Ambassadors would not be permitted to work during the initial lockdown (Stage 5) so we had to make alternative arrangements in this regard. During April, in fact only registered Security Officers were permitted to work so we continued with our 24/7 Armed Response Vehicle and the regular 3 Security Officers who are based around our 3 big shopping centres in the normal course of events. Additionally, we brought in 4 additional Security Officers to try and cover as many as possible of the areas normally covered by Ambassadors. Unfortunately, the cost of a Security Officer is considerably higher than that of an Ambassador so we could only afford 4 extra day shift Officers.
We also made the decision to continue to pay our Ambassadors half their weekly stipend during April as this is the only source of income for most of these people who do sterling work for all of us often under very difficult circumstances. We also regarded this as our contribution to keeping the people of our country fed at this time. I believe that the arrangements have been the best possible we could have made under the circumstances and the deployed forces have done a great job at minimising and counteracting crime at a time when we might have expected it to spike. Precinct Manager Vernon Stokes and Assistant Manager Kerry Brissett have been working at home during this time and are doing everything that they can to manage the lockdown on that basis.
As you are all aware, the GUIP is funded by an additional rate charged on your monthly rates bill. Unfortunately, towards the end of April we were informed by eThekwini that due to the very poor collection level of rates in the Glenwood area, they would be paying us a much-reduced amount for April. We have therefore had to make further adjustments to our operational arrangements to make sure that the related cost falls within the new income figure that we are faced with. The decisions that have been made are as follows. For the month of May:
- the 24/7 AR vehicle will continue to operate as normal. This vehicle and its staff have proven to be the backbone of our anti-crime and surveillance activities, and they will continue to render this service going forward.
- In addition, we will employ the services of a total of 5 security officers who will be deployed to best possible effect by the Precinct Manager.
- Vernon and Kerry will continue working mainly from home during May and are contactable via the normal means and, on the GUIP office landline number (031-2202215) during normal office hours.
I would just like to confirm that all staff to be deployed during this time will be issued with the necessary PPE to be able to work in a way that does not endanger themselves or anyone else. Unfortunately, it is still not possible to deploy the Ambassadors at Level 4 but we have decided that we will again pay them half their normal weekly stipend rate for May.
So, we have what we think is a workable plan for May. Beyond that we are going to have to take things one month at a time and adjust according to how much income we expect to receive each month. One way or another we will always keep you posted and continue to act in the best interests of our precinct. Like everyone else we are working under very difficult circumstances currently and we ask for your understanding and support during this lockdown period.
Best regards and please stay safe.
Neil Lamble
Chairman: Glenwood UIP