Edenvale CPF urges community to work together to prevent crime, report poor police service
If community members feel they are treated unfairly by the police, they must report this unfair treatment to the police station.
At February’s Edenvale Community Police Forum meeting, community members were urged to stand together to fight crime.
Chairperson of the ECPF Mrs Linda McKenzie said it is important for the community to work together with the Edenvale SAPS.
Under the leadership of acting station commander Colonel Malesela Mapulane, the Edenvale SAPS has been conducting preventative crime operations in Edenvale.
He said these operations mainly included stop and searches.
“Stop and search operations will continue. Police officers can’t distinguish who is a criminal and who is not until a search is conducted. Community members need to obey the instructions of the officers,” said Col Mapulane.
Mrs McKenzie said it is important for the community members to work with the officers on duty and to obey their instructions.
If community members feel they are treated unfairly by the police, they must report this unfair treatment to the police station.
Col Mapulane said if there are instances of bribery and corruption involving officers, community members must come forward so that the matter can be investigated.
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At the meeting Col Mapulane urged the community to remain the eyes and ears of the police.
He said it is vital for community members to provide information about suspicious activities to the police.
He urged community members to be responsible and report suspicious activities in their neighbourhood.
“Support and teamwork are vital to a safe community, by working together the community and the SAPS can prevent crime,” said Col Mapulane.
Col Mapulane said compared to 2016, crimes in Edenvale had both increased and decreased.
- Business and residential robberies had increased.
- Residential burglaries had decreased.
- Business burglaries had increased
- Assault with intention to do grievous bodily harm had decreased and common assault had decreased.
In his report, Inspector Eddie Hart of the EMPD agreed with Col Mapulane and said stop and searches are vital to the safety of the community.
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He added that if motorists feel unsafe while being searched, they can ask the officer for their appointment certificate.
In the closing of his report, Insp Hart said the Edenvale EMPD had received 20 additional traffic wardens to assist with morning traffic at busy intersections.
He said although these officers cannot give motorists fines, they are allowed to conduct searches.
Mrs McKenzie said community members can email complaints regarding officers to cpf.edenvale@gmail.com or stopcorruptioninedenvale@gmail.com
She said if the incidents are related to SAPS members it will be sent through to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
If the complaint is related to the EMPD it will be sent to the EMPD’s Standards and Integrity Division.
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“If you are a victim of police harassment, do not post the information on social media before opening a case as it could affect the outcome of the case,” said Ms McKenzie.
