Working together and preventing crime is the main objective for newly-appointed Edenvale SAPS acting station commander Colonel Robbie Robberts.
Col Roberts was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to full Colonel on August 1.
He took over the reigns from the previous station commander, Colonel Eddie Trollip who retired in July.
Col Roberts has been a member of the SAPS for 28 years.
In 2015 he was transferred from Edenvale to the Tembisa SAPS, to help improve and uplift the police work in Tembisa.
He said the position in Tembisa was meant to be permanent but after a month he was moved to the Kempton Park Police Station to help as he had done in Tembisa.
Col Roberts said it was good to be back at the Edenvale SAPS.
“It’s not that I was lost to Edenvale – but Edenvale is a garden. Mistakes do happen but it is important to learn from those mistakes.
“There are a lot of weeds that we have to get out. We have to put the weed killer in and remove the obstacles the community faces in the fight against crime,” said Col Robert.
Col Roberts said both positive and negative changes were made while he was away.
“The main focus is to make sure the community is safe and that there is cooperation between the police and the community – it is time to go back to school,” said Col Roberts.
While in Tembisa and Kempton Park, Col Roberts observed how other communities and the police work together in order to prevent crime.
He said in other areas the community and the police worked together to remove the criminal elements in society.
“Patrollers in Tembisa and the neighbourhood watch group in Kempton Park worked alongside the police in order reduce crime,” said Col Roberts.
“We must just learn to respect one another and to work together in Edenvale,” said Col Roberts.
He said there is a strong relationship already established between the Edenvale SAPS and the neighbourhood watch, but that he would like to see it improve in order to fight crime.
“Communication plays a very important part in preventing crime,” said Col Roberts.
He said one of the best ways to fight crime in Edenvale is to know your neighbour and to report crimes as soon possible.
“Edenvale was one of the better places to stay in. I would like to see it going back to being a great suburb,” said Col Roberts.
Col Roberts urged community members who have concerns regarding the Edenvale SAPS members to report it immediately.
“I have an an open door policy and will help to the best of my ability,” said Col Roberts.
