Douglasdale Community Policing Forum sign memorandum with Metro police
DOUGLASDALE – Be informed and read up on the new memorandum between Metro police and the Douglasdale Community Policing Forum which will now deploy a minimum of four vehicles each, with a two-person crew, 24/7, into the area.
The Douglasdale Community Policing Forum (CPF) is delighted to announce that they have concluded and signed a detailed Memorandum of Understanding with Metro police.
According to the chairperson of the Douglasdale CPF, Jean Berdou, the memorandum is the first-of-its-kind agreement to be signed between a CPF and Metro police.
Signed on 24 March by Metro police Chief Zwelibanzi Nyanga and Berdou, the memorandum commits the Metro police to deploying a minimum of four vehicles, each with a two-person crew, 24/7, in the Douglasdale policing precinct (Regions A and E), whereas previously only two vehicles, and sometimes none, were sent to the area.
Berdou said, “The CPF would like to thank deputy chairperson, David Foley; Willem Hazewindus; Riana Smith; and CPF secretary, Claire Wienand for their tireless work behind the scenes spanning over a year to conceptualise, negotiate and conclude this [memorandum] and without whose incredible efforts this would not have been possible.
“It is truly an honour to serve with such amazing people who never criticise or complain, but get the job done.The CPF is so blessed to have them, as is our community.”
The primary focus of the Metro police teams deployed under the memorandum include:
- Effective traffic enforcement during peak hours.
- Stringent bylaw enforcement, including addressing informal trading, illegal posters and banners, dumping, vagrancy and traffic checks with an emphasis on addressing informal taxi ranks and taxi roadworthiness, informal window washers, and support for police and CPF operations as well as general anti-crime patrols and visibility.
- A new subcommittee, consisting of Metro police and CPF representatives, will monitor the effectiveness of the memorandum, receive submissions from the public and Metro police and will oversee the effectiveness of the memorandum.
- Metro police, together with the CPF, will pilot the use of CPF-donated cellphones which will enable Metro police to have sector policing-type availability, allowing the public to report traffic and other issues.
- A set of standards and norms will be put in place for the proper use of this Metro police sector policing service by both the public and Metro police. Work on this will commence shortly.
