Pine Pienaar, the Germiston CPF vice-chairman and Lambtonklip CPF (LKCPF) vice-chairman (Sector 4), urged residents to be aware of joining community groups claiming to be involved in crime prevention.
“People are creating their own groups and invite community members to join the group to report crime activities. This results in precious time wasted or lost.
“These individuals who created these groups do not have the infrastructure nor the channels to get immediate response from patrollers, armed response personnel or from the SAPS. We encourage residents to become part of a well-structured entity,” said Pienaar.
He said CPF controlled groups don’t send out links to residents to join the group.
“No CPF controlled group will send a link to join a group as criminals could easily become part of such group and gain access to your number and more importantly these criminals can then see who is responding to what crime, thus alerting them someone is on the way,” said Pienaar.
He said people who want to be part of these groups or want to join the CPF need to complete the necessary documentation available from admin@lkcpf.co.za
“Germiston station has five sectors. Become part of the CPF in your area and let us fight crime together,” said Pienaar.
He said LKCPF WhatsApp groups are monitored by patrollers who will act on any immediate threat by responding or forwarding it through to the channels in place to the SAPS.
“These structures have proved to work well in the past,” said Pienaar.
“These are the ideal platforms to share information with the CPF. We have well trained patrollers who patrol day and night on a voluntary basis when available as most do have day jobs. We strive to have a safer and peaceful environment for our residents.
“LKCPF recognises the neighbourhood watch entities as well as the various armed response companies as long as they conform to the Constitution and correct protocols and are properly registered. We are committed to work hand-in-hand with them as long as they are functional within the guidelines of the law,” said Pienaar.
Email admin@lkcpf.co.za, call 072 193 8496 or visit www.lkcpf.co.za