THE new Umbilo Community Policing Forum (CPF) committee was elected by residents at a meeting on Wednesday, 28 November.
Speaking at the meeting, Col John Romer from Umbilo SAPS said the law required police to establish and maintain a partnership with the CPF and the community.
“We cannot police the area on our own, we need a CPF. One of the objectives of the CPF is to improve the rendering of the police service as well as transparency and to promote joint problem identification and solving. I commend residents for turning up tonight, as it shows willingness to be active citizens and that you are taking an interest in the community,” he said.
Heather Rorick was elected chairperson of the new CPF committee, with Sean Ellis deputy chair, Gail Richards secretary, Sino Sigamoney deputy secretary, Karen Dreyer public relations officer, Laura Veramuthu treasurer and Rejoice Sima, Sikho Msomi and Leroy Thomas as additional members.
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Speaking on her election as chairperson, Rorick said she was overwhelmed by the support from the community and hoped the community would carry on supporting the CPF.
“We as a committee will do our best but we need commitment from residents. They can’t sit back and expect a group of nine people to magically come in and overnight solve things that have taken years to grow in our community,” she said, adding that she looked forward to working with Col Romer and the police officers at Umbilo SAPS.
Rorick said she was looking forward to a better and brighter 2019 in Glenwood and Umbilo and that she hoped going forward residents would support CPF meetings, gatherings and functions.
“We have a lot of work cut out for us, but as a CPF we are eager and ready to get going,” she said.
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