Kloof CPF tables strategies to combat criminals
The meeting was hosted to urge residents to be vigilant following the increase in crime.
THE Kloof Community Police Forum (KCPF) recently gathered with a group of Durban residents at Tina’s Hotel in a bid to combat crime in the Highway area.
The meeting was hosted to urge residents to be vigilant following the increase in crime and support the forum’s strategies in preventing it.
It also encouraged liaison between the forum and the police.
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KCPF chairman, Corné Broodryk, welcomed a fair number of residents at the meeting. Among those who attended was captain Bheki Mpungose from the South African Police Services (SAPS), Rob Aldworth from Proactive Projects and other members of the KCPF.
Captain Mpungose confirmed the number of crimes had increased with vehicle-theft being the highest. He also said that vehicles targeted the most were Toyota Fortuners, Volkswagen Polos and Ford Rangers.
“The areas that are usually targeted are Village Road, Abelia Road, Civil hall and the SPCA. In cases that have been reported, women are targeted the most,” said Mpungose.
One of the challenges faced by the Kloof Police station was having one vehicle for patrols, which delayed police responses.
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The KCPF aims to close that gap through its patrols which have been effectively responsive.
Crime analyst at Accelerate Services, Caitlin Naylor, said even though Kloof had been safer recently, residents should not be complacent as many residential crime cases were being reported.
“Crime is rising drastically in the Upper Highway area, not only from a business point of view but from a residential point of view. Last month, there was a 48 per cent increase in residential burglaries in the Upper Highway,” said Naylor.
Broodryk urged residents to report any suspicious vehicles. He also cautioned motorists not to leave valuable items in their vehicles – and that they should have tracking devices.
The use of camera systems was among the resolutions tabled to prevent crime. Aldworth from Proactive Projects, a non-profit organisation specialising in crime prevention through advanced monitoring camera systems, said cameras would be a good resource to monitor traffic which would ease identifying suspicious vehicles.
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However, they would need a R50 donation per month to accumulate funds for installation and maintenance. The cameras detect number plates and compares them to the national database to help identify vehicles. They are also connected to SAPS and Metro police databases.
One of the attendees from Kloof, Chris Boshoff, said the initiative was a good start and it would hopefully restore a safer environment for residents in the area.
Broodryk said there would be subsequent meetings every second week of the month.
He asked residents to support the initiative and reiterated that resources were essential to ensure it was difficult for criminals to carry out their activities.
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