Chairperson of the forum, Jean Berdou convened the meeting and called on representatives of the different CPF portfolios to report back on recent initiatives and upcoming projects. Among the portfolios, Carol Badenhorst from the victim support centre said during January, February and March the centre attended one crime scene, counselled 11 victims of crime and made 55 phone follow-ups.
In terms of the financial health of the CPF, head of the financial portfolio, Sharon O’Brien said the forum was in a good position, but was always looking for funding, especially to pay the salaries of the cleaner and the maintenance worker at the police station.
The social upliftment portfolio warned residents to be wary of potential xenophobic attacks which may soon reach the Fourways community. The forum asked residents to please start collecting blankets and food to donate in anticipation of xenophobic attacks.
The forum volunteer programme, which places trained CPF volunteers in the client service centre of the station to assist police officers in dealing with community members’ cases, has encountered an obstacle. Unfortunately nine volunteers have left the programme in the past month because they have found permanent employment. The programme is now looking for more volunteers from the community. A volunteer shift lasts a minimum of two hours and volunteers can work as many shifts as is convenient for them.
Each of the four sectors also reported back.
Sector 1, which includes Olivedale and Jukskei Park, reported that the main crimes in the area were residential burglaries, theft out of motor vehicles and malicious damage to property.
Sector 2 reported back on their initiative to get community patrollers active in the Kya Sands community. Sector 1 is helping with the programme, as their neighbourhood watch initiative had been very successful. The main issues in Sector 2 were dumping, housebreaking and business robberies. Fire safety talks were also in the pipeline for Sector 2 in anticipation of accidents which could occur during winter.
Sector 3 did not have a representative present at the meeting, but the public was reminded of the Sector 3 golf day which will take place on 4 June.
David Foley, chairperson for Sector 4, which includes Fourways Central, Pineslopes, Beverley and Lonehill, made a special mention of what a great job their new sector manager, Warrant Officer Hein van Heerden was doing.
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