Embo community unites to fight crime
The sub-forum in Embo is established under the Hillcrest Community Policing Forum.
A SUB-FORUM has been formed under the Hillcrest Community Policing Forum following an upsurge in robberies in the Embo area.
The sub-forum was started with the help of the Cotswold Home Owners’ Association who sponsored the kit for the 20 patrollers who are under the Community in Blue.
Hillcrest CPF public relations officer Lester Jones said a resident, Abby Ndlovu, who is also the Hillcrest CPF secretary, played a huge role in getting patrollers together as there had been many incidents of people in vehicles targeting especially women and schoolchildren.
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“The sponsored kit included a tactical vest, torch and pepper spray, whistle, beanies and cuffs.”
Jones said he was impressed at the work the sub-forum is doing as they have mobilised their strategic points.
“Their dedication is amazing, and they patrol the area on foot,” said Jones.
He added that unless the communities unite, the public will never win the fight against crime.
“Communities need to work hand in hand with police officers. We need to unite all the sectors, and there must be no segregation,” he said.
Jones also encouraged other CPFs, complexes and communities to start sub-forums in their areas.
Ndlovu said the formation of this forum has made a huge difference.
“The robberies were taking place in broad daylight. In our area, there is only one entrance and one exit, and after hearing about this car that is going around, the community decided that enough is enough, and we started patrolling.
“Since I started with the Hillcrest CPF, I introduced this route, and we adopted the CPF constitution.”
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Ndlovu said they are thankful to the Hillcrest CPF for their guidance and appreciate the sponsorship from the Cotswold Home Owners’ Association.
“The torches they gave us play a huge role, especially at nighttime. We usually have load-shedding around 18:00 to 20:00 and 20:00 to 22:00. Also the vests make us visible.”
She highlighted that they also engage in other community projects apart from patrolling.
“Just recently, there was a walk to commemorate Child Protection Week, and the patrollers were there to guide the traffic,” she said.
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