With the start of the new year, officers from Edenvale SAPS are preparing themselves for the year ahead and the fight against crime.
The NEWS met with the station’s spokesperson, Sgt Jacob Mashile, who outlined the station’s plans and campaigns for 2020.
“This year Edenvale Police Station will strive to fight crime and keep community members safe.”
A priority for Edenvale is focusing on and combating crimes related to gender-based violence.
“Community members need to report any act of gender-based violence, such as domestic abuse or sexual assaults of any kind.”
“The station takes gender-based violence seriously as it affects the most vulnerable of those in our community.”
Mashile said the station hopes to create awareness by working with churches that will be hosting workshops at schools throughout the year.
“The station hopes to improve upon the statistics of last year and show the community that the station cares about those in its precinct.”
During the 2018/19 year, nine rape, nine sexual assault, one attempted sexual offence and five contact sexual offence cases were reported at Edenvale Police Station.
Another priority on the station’s list is to combat drugs in the town.
Mashile said the station will host an anti-drug campaign in the first half of the year in partnership with an Edenvale NPO.
The campaign, a colour run/walk, will be held to generate awareness of the dangers of drugs.
Building on the station’s fight against drugs, it will take part in the national initiative called SAPS in Support of School Safety.
The national initiative hopes to:
1. Reduce the number of criminal incidents in society.
2. Develop a better relationship between the youth and police.
3. Create an understanding of the role of police officers among the youth.
4. Extend the concept of crime prevention.
5. Equip the youth to avoid dangerous and threatening situations.
The initiative will see each school in Edenvale participate in an adopt-a-cop campaign whereby each school in the area will be assigned an officer.
“The officer will be responsible for that school, communicating with management of the school and the station.
“They will promote a safe and orderly school environment.”
Mashile said when government schools open their doors on January 15, the station will launch its back-to-school campaign.
The campaign will see officers from the station visit schools in Edenvale and the establishment of school safety committees.
The committees will include representatives from the school, Edenvale Community Police Forum and SAPS.
“The representatives will meet once a term to discuss challenges the school may be facing and develop possible solutions.”
Besides the identified plans, Edenvale SAPS will host other events for Mandela Day, Youth Day, Women’s Day, 16 Days of Activism and National Child Protection Week.
“The station looks forward to building upon the relationship between itself and the community and creating a safer Edenvale together.”
