An informed community is a safer communtiy

WITH crime, especially house breakings, on the increase in Kloof, Kloof Community Police Forum chairman, Corné Broodryk says it has become important to develop relationships with neighbours, neighbouring communities, SAPS, security companies, domestic workers and contractors.

“As a result, we have seen Kloof pull together in numerous ways with a number of ‘neighbour helps neighbour’stories emerging. This, I believe, has been a result of us living out our motto, ‘an informed community is a safer community’. It is only by joining forces with the SAPS and our neighbours that we are going to get ahead of these criminals. SAPS cannot fight the fight and win on their own and apathy is playing into the hands of criminals,” said Corné.

Crime in the Pinetown area has increased and is heading back to levels of some months ago. This is of concern to Kloof as it is a satellite of Pinetown. Tim Brauteseth, Ward Councillor for Pinetown, said that the problem seemed to be the reactive instead of proactive reaction of the community. Corné encourages residents to start attending CPF meetings and find out what is being done, and what they can do to help.

There has been a spate of hi-jackings and car thefts in neighbouring areas in the last few weeks. Fortunas are in particular demand and the Gillitts Shopping Centre has been hardest hit. ATMS are still target spots so remain extra vigilant of your surroundings when withdrawing money.

Crime figures for the month of August in Kloof were: 15 Housebreakings (Ronalds, Woodside, Emolweni, Park Close (2), Pioneer (2), St Mary’s, Glenart, Old Main, Klooflands, Fairview, Richmond, Fields Crescent, Impangele); 4 House Robberies (Fairview (2), Impala, Peace); 1 Armed Robbery (Windsor); 6 Theft out of Motor vehicle (Charles Way (Maytime), Village Road (4), Old Main Road); 4 Assault GBH (Village Mall, Iwula Road (2), Abrey) and theft of motor vehicle (Charles Way).

On a positive note, The KCPF would like to thank Craig Garvie (North Safety Products Africa), Linda (National Road Pharmacy) and Greta Horncastle who have donated first aid kits for the Street Patrol groups and Always Active Technologies who have taken over the KCPF website and are in the process of re-designing it.

“One of the things I love about working with the Kloof Community Police Forum is the interaction with all the different structures. This includes political, the business sector and non-profit organisations that make our community safer and a place where people want to live. The number of organisations working in the background and the passion of the various role-players has been highly encouraging,”