CPF meeting in Bryanston addresses crime issues
Bryanston residents brave cold evening to meet with various stakeholders to discuss their issues with crime.
Despite the crisp evening chill, a number of concerned citizens headed to St Michael’s Church in Bryanston to be united in their quest for a safer neighbourhood and attend the monthly Community Policing Forum (CPF) meeting on July 4.
Read more: CPF meeting update residents on crime stats
Jessica Louwrens, the chair of the forum, emphasised the importance of keeping the community informed about the various crimes that have been taking place in the area.
By sharing this information, the forum aims to facilitate open and honest discussions about the issues affecting the community and to work together to find solutions to address them.
Louwrens believes working together with the community helps develop effective strategies to improve safety, security, and overall well-being for all residents.
Also read: Douglasdale CPF advises community to be vigilant
The meeting was attended by a diverse range of stakeholders, including representatives from various private security companies, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), and other interested parties.
Residents of Paulshof and Bryanston highlighted a range of criminal activities affecting their communities, including house robberies, illegal trading, public drinking, illegal dumping, bribery of informal traffic controllers, scams, harassment, and other illicit activities.
“We have also noticed a growing trend of community members dumping rubbish that is beyond the duties of PikiTup. We urge the community to continue dumping garden rubbish for PikiTub, but lately, we saw people even leaving couches. That is wrong. Another thing that we are urging the community to stop is tipping informal pointsmen, and giving money to those ladies who stop by the traffic lights with their children.
“We tried getting the Department of Social Development involved, however, it seems like they do not want the help, because what would be the point if they can make more money sitting there than what they get from the department?” said JMPD’s Superintendent Sharon Barnard.
Louwrens said, she is pleased by how the community members came in numbers to support their efforts and take part.
“It was a great turnout, people were engaged, it was good. Now we know what we need to work on and we noted every suggestion that was raised by the community members.”
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