Cleveland Community Policing Forum (CCPF) held its last meeting for the year on December 4 at the Cleveland Police Station where the forum reflected on its highs and lows for 2018.
Ward 118 Clr Neuren Pietersen applauded Cleveland SAPS for carrying out 192 arrests during the station’s crime prevention and normal policing operations from November 19 to 25, as previously reported in the EXPRESS.
Pietersen encouraged the CCPF to assist in tracking the station’s performance.
He also noted that the illegal dumping on the grounds next to Bruma Park on Marcia Street continues.
Pietersen said a recent shooting incident on 26th Street, Malvern, has caused fear in the community. The EXPRESS reported on November 13 that two people were wounded when a gunman stormed into a house before allegedly opening fire.
Also read: CCPF and residents march against crime
In response, Cleveland SAPS station commander Col Mpe Motaung said the station received information which led police to one suspect.
“He was found in possession of two unlicensed firearms at the time of his arrest and was charged accordingly. He was also charged for being in possession of illegal ammunition. The police are investigating three other cases of attempted murder emanating from the same address in Malvern.”
CCPF chairperson Godfrey Mothibe expressed concern about what he said was an “illegal taxi rank” in the precinct.
Pietersen, in response, said a meeting with the Department of Transport, the relevant taxi association and other role players had been arranged in order to establish a way forward.
Drinking in public once again surfaced as a hot topic.
Also read: CCPF chairperson commends JMPD
Unreasonable trading hours to which liquor outlets operate is one of the major problems for the CCPF as well as the Malvern and Cleveland communities.
Motaung said policing this issue in the precinct has since become a priority task for his members.
“We have identified a few hot spots, including Jules Street, from where I get calls every day. To remedy the situation we have launched weekly operational metrics. We are carrying out continuous operations and have made it clear to our members that if a person is drunk and disorderly in public, it’s a criminal offence and that the person should be arrested and brought to the station. However, we do not detain them. They are arrested and then released on a fine of R300.”
Max Katz, an estate agent in Cleveland, said he will do all he can while encouraging the Primrose CPF to assist in getting the Cleveland Sector Three group (Cleveland and Malvern) off the ground.
Also read: Cleveland CPF hosts children and youth day
He stressed that it will take the effort of the CCPF to launch street groups or patrollers.
“We hope that the Sector Three Crime Forum is going to take this seriously in the new year and lead the way in the Cleveland CPF making a serious difference to crime prevention and reaction because SAPS cannot do this all on their own,” said Katz.
Cleveland SAPS operational commander Capt Peter Ramodisa said hijackings and house robberies are on the increase in the precinct.
“High police visibility will help to address this,” Ramodisa said.
On the issue of liquor, Ramodisa encouraged residents to contact the station commander if they have grievances against any liquor outlet operating for longer than its designated trading hours.
Mothibe stressed that non-violent behaviour towards women and children should be an ongoing endeavour.
