An Edenvale resident has raised concerns about the Edenvale Community Policing Forum, and also questioned the role of the forum on a crime scene.
Ms Illaria Di Siena discussed the issues that she had brought up at the monthly ECPF meeting, on August 31, during a meeting with the NEWS on September 8.
She said she was worried about Edenvale and the community.
“I want to speak out; I feel it is very important,” said Ms Di Siena.
The concerns that she raised were:
- What she believes is a lack of feedback and follow-up of crimes in Edenvale from the ECPF.
- What appears to be a “disconnect” between the SAPS and the ECPF.
- The role and authority of the ECPF on a crime scene, before the SAPS arrive.
In response to these matters, Mrs Linda McKenzie, the chairperson of the ECPF, invited residents to like the ECPF Facebook page, where information about crime is posted.
Mrs McKenzie said arrests that were made and feedback are shared to this Facebook page on a weekly basis.
“We cannot provide any information unless it has been given to us by Capt Jean Olckers, the Edenvale SAPS communications officer,” she explained.
She said doing otherwise would lead to the posting of unverified information, which could result in confusion and fear in the community.
>Capt >Olckers said the >ECPF communication officer and he have started meeting on a weekly basis, so that information can be shared.
“The >ECPF can release information only once it has been verified by the SAPS; posting false or unverified information could put lives at risk,” he added.
“There is no disconnect between the SAPS and the ECPF. The relationship is working 100 per cent,” said Mrs McKenzie.
“The police and the community work together as best as we can,” commented Capt Olckers.
Mrs McKenzie said the SAPS and ECPF have regular meetings to discuss crime, to plan operations and the way forward for the community.
>Capt >Olckers said the >neighbourhood patrollers from the >ECPF play a vital role when fighting crime.
According to him, the neighbourhood patrollers identify problems, contact the SAPS through the right channels and assist in making successful arrests.
“We thank the neighbourhood patrollers for their efforts,” he added.
At a crime scene
Mrs McKenzie said that, at a crime scene, whoever arrives first takes control of the scene.
She said the ECPF will secure the crime scene, contact paramedics and the SAPS, stop bystanders from entering the scene and hand over control of the scene to the SAPS when officers arrive.
“Once control of the crime scene has been handed over, the ECPF will assist with crowd control and crime scene management, ” she added.
>Capt >Olckers said that, when the >ECPF arrives first on a scene, they are in charge of crime scene management and preserve the scene.
“At a station level we try to provide information to the >ECPF on how to preserve a crime scene, what to do and what not to do when on a crime scene.
”We share this information during our meetings,” said >Capt >Olckers.
“Although the >ECPF does not have the power of police authority, they do have the authority to be the eyes and ears of the police,” said >Capt >Olckers.
Mrs McKenzie said once the SAPS has given permission only then will they re-enter the crime scene.
>Capt >Olckers said if individuals have concerns about the >ECPF and the SAPS they must make use of the correct channels to address the concerns.
“By working together we can make a bigger difference,” he concluded.
