Sophiatown Community Patrol makes a difference
SOPHIATOWN– Since its inception, the Sophiatown Community Patrol has been involved in successful arrests in the area. Their presence is making a difference in crime levels.
The Sophiatown Community Patrol (SCP) crowned Lee Praviskar and Jan Steyn as patrollers of the month.
“Ever since the launch of the SCP, we have dedicated our time and effort into cleaning up Sophiatown from crime and the scum that hangs around in the area,” said Dauw Steyn chairperson of SCP.
Since its inception, SCP has been involved in successful arrests in connection with housebreaking, theft, robberies in streets and the Koppies and possession of suspected stolen property.
“The patrollers from the SCP are a dedicated group of men and women that give up their free time and family [time] to patrol the streets of the Sophiatown community. We have been shot at, we have been threatened and most recently, we were told to get off the streets by some dealers,” he said.
Steyn is adamant that the Sophiatown Community Patrol will not back down in their fight against crime.
SCP has started a joint communication group with various other community patrols and neighbourhood watches.
They currently share information and have joint operations with Westdene, Linden, Coronationville, Ormonde and Crosby patrols.
According to Steyn, this is starting to make a difference in the community.
“We have had a lack of [police] patrols and assistance, and we, as the public, had to do something. SCP has now successfully established a street WhatsApp group for every street in Sophiatown and it works to share information as well as crime and security alerts,” he said.
The SCP has now also established a victim support unit. This unit gets into action the moment someone is a victim of crime. They arrange a counselling session and assist with whatever is needed. Food donations for this section are needed.
“We would like to appeal to every resident in Sophiatown and the other neighbourhoods to step up and make a difference in your community. Join your local patrols and be part of the difference.”
Steyn said the SCP chair is currently working with Ward 86 councillor Steve Kotzé to establish community patrols in Albertville and Newlands.
Other community patrol units and neighbourhood watch teams may contact Steyn to be involved in their initiative.
