The Etwatwa SAPS is inviting young people to join their Youth Crime Prevention Desk (YCPD) as volunteers.
YCPD gives young community members the opportunity to participate and become active citizens of their community.
Etwatwa SAPS social crime prevention officer Const Khensani Maluleka explained that YCPD are volunteer-based structures based at police stations.
ALSO READ:
Crystal Park SAPS urges residents to be vigilant at all times
“The desk encourages and enables young people to participate actively in identifying the causes of youth violence and crime and to collaborate in creating social crime prevention strategies for their communities,” said Maluleka.
The group meets at the Etwatwa Police Station every Thursday from 10am to noon.
Maluleka also encouraged the community of Etwatwa to make use of the station’s Victim Empowerment Centre (VEC).
“There is counseling available for victims of trauma, social crime and problems who then report to the trauma centre to talk the matter through with a victim supporter,” said Maluleka.
“The victim supporter is trained to calm the victim down if need be and to help the victim decide on his or her options.”
Maluleka said any victims of crime are welcome to come in for a counseling session.
The trauma centre operates from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.
She said the Social Crime Prevention Unit also visits schools regularly to educate youngsters about crimes.
“We conduct school searches twice per week at two schools.
“We want to educate youngsters about abuse, drugs and peer pressure. They need to know that they have to report any type of abuse to their school teachers, police and their family.”
Maluleka said there is a lot of unruliness from children in schools, discipline starts from home and we encourage parents to reach out for help.
“Teachers should also communicate with the police about the challenges they come across before things get out of order.
“As police we are here to lend a helping hand.”
Malukela also invites residents to join them on July 18 to clean an open veld at Extension 33 as part of Mandela Day.
“There have been a lot of common robberies that happen on that open veld, hence we thought it would make a difference when we clean it,” she said.
The Etwatwa SAPS will be hosting a crime summit (Imbizo) on July 13 at WJ Mpengesi Primary School on 1850 Ikageng Street, Etwatwa from 9am.
The station commander and various stakeholders will engage and listen to the community’s concerns.
All residents, business and NPO’s are invited.
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 1217
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Boksburg Advertiser, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail
