Community rallies against top cop transfer
“He has also brought the community together which has resulted in an increase in community involvement in fighting crime,” said Mrs McKenzie.
The Edenvale community is rallying against the transfer of the Edenvale SAPS head of crime prevention, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberts.
According to the chairperson of the Edenvale Community Police Forum (ECPF), Mrs Linda McKenzie, the announcement was made on Monday and the transfer would take place on September 1.
“Since then we have been inundated with calls from residents asking how they could help stop the transfer,” she said.
Mrs McKenzie said the transfer came from the Provincial SAPS.
“The crime stats speak for itself. Since Lt Col Roberts took up his position in Edenvale there has been a drastic reduction in crime as well as an increase in the number of arrests made,” she said.
“He has also brought the community together which has resulted in an increase in community involvement in fighting crime,” said Mrs McKenzie.
She added that community members, along with businesses and the ECPF, set up petitions to fight the transfer of Lt Col Roberts.
“The petitions will be available each day from 5pm to 6pm at the Edenvale Police Station,” said Mrs McKenzie.
She added that alternatively, residents could e-mail her on lindamckenzie04@gmail.com
The e-mails should include the resident’s full name and surname, their identity number, cellular phone number as well as the reason why they believe Lt Col Roberts should not be transferred.
“We will hand all the signatures received to the Provincial SAPS before the transfer deadline,” said Mrs McKenzie.
The deadline for all petitions will be August 26 at 12-noon.
In addition, the Karaglen Shopping Centre has also joined in to stop the transfer.
“We have placed petition papers at each of our till points in the Karaglen SuperSpar. Within 15 minutes of us putting the petition papers out, we received well over 100 signatures,” said Mr Harry Karamichael.
Anyone wanting more information can contact Mrs McKenzie on 083 973 7093.
Proud to call this man my father… ♡ God has bigger plans, there is a reason why he is going away….
And you can be, we need him in Edenvale.
It’s great that the residents of Edenvale want to keep Lieutenant Colonel Roberts, and I would also like him to stay… but perhaps he actually would like to transfer to Kempton Park? Even though it wasn’t his choice.
Lieutenant Colonel Roberts deserves to advance in his career as he has dedicated over 20years to the SAPS…. Let it be his choice.
Wishing you all the best Robbie!!!
Why should another officer have the benefits of Col Roberts hard work. If they want to promote him it can be done right here in Edenvale. But the SAPS wants to bring in 3 people to do what Col. Roberts did all by himself. Makes one think!!!