Join patrols, help Umbilo CPF fight crime

IT is a usual trend that during winter some crimes seem to spike more, especially fence hopping, muggings, home invasions and hijackings.

With this in mind, the Umbilo Community Police Forum (CPF) will be out in the community, showing visibility to help the police fight crime.

Heather Rorick Roos, chairperson of the Umbilo Executive CPF said thankfully, with level three the CPFs and community watch groups are allowed back to patrol, something that has been prohibited during the other levels of lockdown.

However, she said each patroller has to have a valid permit which has to be signed by the Executive CPF chairperson.

“This permit must be carried by all patrollers while performing a community patrol. No exceptions will be made,” she said.

Roos said she and vice-chairperson, Sean Ellis, had received patrollers’ names from the relative community watches and safety forums, and have signed the necessary forms. She said these permits are not allowed to be issued by the police.

Roos said the CPF was pleased members could be back on the streets patrolling the area as with the Coronavirus and the lockdown, crime had escalated even more.

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“In our community we are seeing a lot more beggars, and certainly a whole lot more homeless who have moved up into our community. This certainly means it has increased the crime in our community,” she said.

She said the homeless who were in the shelters during lockdown have moved into Glenwood and other areas in the community, however she felt nothing had been done to assist the community.

“There is a concern that the spike in crime in our area since the easing of lockdown has not been taken seriously. Residents feel that our community has become more dangerous and people are too scared to walk on the roads even in broad day light, or go for a morning jog, as they are getting attacked. Recently one victim was so badly stabbed close to his home while out on his usual morning jog, that he needed surgery,” she said.

She said it was at times like this that residents needed to learn to stand together and strengthen their communities.

“Residents need to join the crime WhatsApp groups, join the voluntary community patrol groups, report crimes, get to know and work with your community police members, rather fight the criminals than fight against each other as residents,” she said.

Roos urged residents to be extra vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times, whether at home or out and about. To get involved with any community patrols, contact Heather on 062 267 6535.

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