Casual approach to crime not an option

A Community Policing Forum (CPF) is a body where the police and the communities they serve get together to communicate about critical crime issues.

Police share their information on crime trends as shown by their crime statistics and communities can share information on persistent crimes that occur in their environment, such as drug dealing.

It is imperative that victims of crime register cases with the police, as these crimes are looked at each day by the responsible police members in the crime intelligence and visible policing divisions at each police station.

The results are analysed and used to make the police anti-crime activities more focused. If we fail to open cases, then the SAPS will not know what is happening out there.

Recent studies show that communities may only report some 50% of crimes and there are very many possible reasons for this.

But if this is indeed so, then the police crime combatting activities are not going to be focused where they should be.

Police, at the same time, should not close their eyes to the information that can be gleaned on relevant and meaningful social media pages, as this is a modern way of communication and needs to be fully exploited to be as effective as possible in crime fighting initiatives.

For those members of the community who may not be able to attend CPF meetings, consider forming a Neighbourhood Watch or Street Committee that shouldn’t be too large.

Form a group on Whattsapp or a similar medium so as to communicate among each other when something strange or threatening occurs in your neighbourhood. This will ensure you are able to help each other. Elect a representative from your group to attend the CPF meetings on the group’s behalf.

We tend to avoid CPF meetings when all is going well, but it should be remembered that constant commitment to eliminating crime is needed and sporadic attendance at CPF meetings is not sufficient. Crime will return to previous levels if we do not constantly talk to our local police officers. Get to know them and work with them for your own and the communities’ benefit.