Join Durban North/Umhlanga CPF’s fight against crime

WHEN Darryl Oliver joined his local neighbourhood watch, it was about creating a greater sense of community, building stronger bonds with his neighbours and fighting crime.

Oliver, now the current public relations officer of the Durban North/Umhlanga Community Policing Forum (CPF), said it was a criminal incident outside his home that was the catalyst for his move into proactive policing.

“In 2019, we had an incident just across the road from where I live where criminals had stashed their stolen goods after a break-in. It was there that I found out about the Home Hawks Neighbourhood Watch and the role they play in the area. I joined soon after and began to learn more about the role of the CPF and the SAPS. It became a way for me to play an important role in keeping our community safe.

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“When the 2021 July unrest occurred, we had mass community mobilisation. Residents rallied to protect their neighbours and businesses in the area from possible looting and arson. It was then the CPF took on a more streamlined approach in inducting members within its structures, and I was lucky enough to be given the role of PRO and chairperson of my sector, 1B,” he said.

Oliver also helped design another crime-fighting tool, the CPF website, which he hoped people would use as a resource for emergency numbers, street captains and relevant contact details for members within the CPF structures.

“The idea behind the website was to make it user-friendly and for people to use as a resource. Besides our press statements, it has a section for important emergency contacts as well a map of the area the CPF covers. The map gives residents additional information on who to contact. The CPF is made up of sectors, and each sector has its own chairperson and neighbourhood watch units,” he explained.

Oliver said his main message was now encouraging residents to become the eyes and ears of the community.

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“It is one of the main ways we can combat crime. You don’t necessarily have to be an active patroller, although we are always looking for new members. It really is about contributing to a greater sense of community. As the CPF, we encourage communities to fight crime in their neighbourhood by joining their neighbourhood watches. There are many benefits for a community that takes responsibility when working closely with the police to prevent and combat crime,” he said.

He also urged residents, no matter how ‘petty’ they deemed a crime to report it to the police.

You can also learn more about the CPF and sectors via their website (www.dnucpf.co.za)

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