The holiday season is over for most, however, for the Jeppe Community Policing Forum (CPF) it has been business as usual throughout the festive season.
“The safety of the community is important and, as the Jeppe CPF, together with the police, we were dedicated to making sure residents were safe over the holiday season,” said chairperson of the forum, chairperson Zola Dambula.
According to Dambula, crime does not sleep and the community should always be vigilant and alert.
“I would like to say compliments of the new season to our residents, councillors and officials of municipal-owned entities, members of the police, Metro police and their families. As we start the new year, let us be more aware of the reality of what’s out there on our streets. Let us be streetwise and minimise crime generators.”
Dambula said crime would always be a problem, but with help from the community, it could be minimised. “As a community, we need to work together with law enforcement authorities, councillors and council officials to fight crime and grime.”
He said the forum had seen an increase in the violation of municipal bylaws, including illegal dumping, which has become an eyesore in the precinct. “I would like to encourage the community to be the eyes and ears of the councillors and the police. Be an active citizen in your community.” Dambula added that some members of the community do not respect the law and abuse its services.
Read: Personal safety tips
He appealed to the community to refrain from the following:
- Making hoax calls to the 10111 emergency line
- Opening false cases such as hijackings and robbery claims for insurance purposes. This is a waste of valuable time and resources for the people who need them most. People who do this will be charged with perjury
- Withdrawal of cases for financial gain. This practice happens often in cases of domestic violence and assault
- Using police for rental disputes as there is a housing tribunal for such cases
- Stop offering cold drinks to our members. This practice is blatant corruption and it takes two to tango. Both parties will be charged – the corruptor and the corrupted.
Details: Cleveland CPF claireme44@gmail.com; Cleveland Police Station 011 677 5746.
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