The senseless killing of a top Brooklyn neighbourhood watch member last week has left a gaping hole in the community.
Peter Landsberg, 57, a member of the Brooklyn, Ysterplaat Neighbourhood Watch (BYNHW) was gunned down in Dunoon on Tuesday evening March 17.
Mr Landsberg, who had two sons and one grandchild, worked as a team leader for a canopy cleaning company.
According to Milnerton police spokesperson Captain Nopaya Madyibi, Mr Landsberg was dropping employees at the corner of Siyabonga and Currie streets in Dunoon when two unknown men tried to open his vehicle door at the driver’s side.
Mr Landsberg drove off, and the men fired shots and hit him in the shoulder.
“No arrest have been made and the case is still under investigation,” said Captain Madyibi.
On Thursday, BYNHW, supported by members of the Summer Greens Neighbourhood Watch, Tygerhof Neighbourhood Watch, law enforcement and the Brooklyn Ysterplaat and Rugby Residents’ Association, paid their respects to their fallen member by walking to his home in Fenwick Street.
Members carried white and blue balloons which they tied to the walls and trees at his house. A prayer circle was formed in the front yard before members left.
BYNHW chairman Cheryl Castle said Mr Landsberg had been more than just a patroller.
“He had a passion for his community. He had a passion for the downtrodden. It’s going to be a long time before we come across someone like him again.”
BYNHW member David Loknos said Mr Landsberg’s service to the community could not be measured.
A distraught Dane Maas, 15, described Mr Landsberg as a “father figure” who always looked out for him.
Dane, who lives one street away from Mr Landsberg’s house, said Mr Landsberg had always made sure he had clothes to wear.
“No one cared about me the way he did, and now he’s gone,” said Dane.
BYNHW member Patrick Fester said Mr Landsberg had had dreams of opening a shelter for women and children. He also wanted to do a walk from Brooklyn to Malmesbury.
“We’ve got to honour him by organising the walk,” said Mr Fester.
Mr Landsberg’s partner of four years, who did not want to be named, described him as a humble person whom she would sorely miss.
She said they had been driving up Koeberg Road a few months back when Mr Landsberg had gestured toward the homeless people and told her they were his people.
“He told me the day he was gone, he wanted me to feed them all. I said there were too many, and he said the neighbourhood watch would help me. I have to fulfil his wish, and I will after the virus dies down.”
Mr Landsberg was cremated yesterday. A memorial service will take place once the Covid- 19 virus safety measures are relaxed.
One of Mr Landsberg’s last posts on Facebook read: “If only all the hype and panic about Covid-19 was applied to crime, what a difference we’d see in this country.”