Police forum appeals for reflective jackets
ALEXANDRA - The Alex Community Police Forum is appealing for support with reflector jackets to help them in their operations.
This was a plea from the forum at a hand over of 40 jackets donated by the Alexandra Development Centre.
The forum is composed of 420 civilian volunteer patrollers who are vetted for criminal offences and reassessed every three months. Despite the forum being formed under a legal provision, it is not provided resources for transport, communication and other operational needs to enhance its efficiency.
Deputy chairperson of the forum, Eva Temo said the jackets were essential for the public to identify the patrollers. She thanked the centre for their contribution and asked other organisations, businesses and individuals to donate more of these jackets.
She said the sight of patrollers in reflective jackets acted as a deterrent to those intent on doing crime. Temo added that most of the patrollers were women as men didn’t like volunteer work..
The forum’s chairperson Bulldog Rathokolo said while the lack of resources made it difficult for their operations, the work was fulfilling as it helped rid the area of unwanted criminals. He said their patrollers had helped reduce hijackings at hotspots along Vincent Tshabalala Road.
Rathokolo added that the work helped create camaraderie among people and united families where both husband and wife were patrollers.
The patrollers work in groups from the evening to early morning on Fridays and Saturdays, and occasionally on Sundays. Each group is attached to a police officer to help effect arrests.
