![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2015/06/letter_47785.jpg)
I am perturbed by the article put in the BCT dated February 24, headlined ‘Community criticised for being apathetic’.
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I for one – as do many other residents – have a lot of respect for our Community Policing Forum (CPF), especially in my sector.
These men and women need medals for their dedication to the residents and I thank them for what they do.
However, Reza Patel needs to ask why there is continuously a poor turnout at the public meetings.
Could it be that the residents of Benoni are sick to death of hearing the same promises from the “picked on” police?
Reza, would you like to go back to the minutes over the last few years and see how many different brigadiers we have had at our police station?
How many times has each brigadier promised solutions to our problems over the last 10 years?
There have been empty promises and commanders who are pushed up the ladder, resulting in a repeat performance year after year.
As for a constructive approach, what would you like the residents to do?
We have requested SAPS to clean up the areas.
We report crime to our CPF and they do go out and try their best, while our police officers are nowhere to be found.
It does not help that when it is reported to the SAPS, nothing is done.
We are continuously told by the SAPS that their hands are tied; the criminals know the law better than we do!
The best excuse ever is that there are no patrol vehicles available.
Criticise the residents as much as you want for being apathetic, but maybe it’s time to ask you and the police why we should give up more of our valuable family time to listen to the same hogwash.
Editor’s note:
Reza Patel, executive chairperson for the Ekurhuleni Central Cluster CPF, replies:
“Public meetings are established to give the residents an opportunity to raise concerns directly with the police partners.
“If you are not there to raise concerns, you have no issue.
“To criticise without being involved is not going to solve much.
“Crime thrives where a community does nothing about it.”
Benoni SAPS spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele replies:
“The writer does not provide any concrete facts to answer on.
“Benoni SAPS and all personnel are functioning at an exceptional performance rate.”
Also read:
We should all care about the police station
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