Wrong impression created

Chairperson of the Fairlands Community Police Forum Dr Gulam Karim writes:

With reference to the article, Fairland cop behind bars, week ending 19 September. As the Fairland Community Police Forum we would like to continue to further formalise our commitment to the media and the community we serve, in ensuring both transparency, accountability and optimum service delivery by police in our precinct.

The improvements service delivery in the last few months is largely contributed to the commitment and dedication of the Station Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel Maluleke and his management team. Despite the daily challenges of priority crimes in our precinct of housebreaking, residential and business robberies and theft out of motor vehicles, we can confidently say that Fairland is still the safest suburb in Johannesburg. The support from the community, business and the private security service providers is consistently much better when compared to other neighbouring precincts, but could be greatly improved with greater participation by the residents, in ensuring that we collectively prevent crime as our primary responsibility. This can be done by being more vigilant and observant when returning or leaving home, in ensuring that you are not being followed or that unknown persons are not near your entrance gate and confirming that you close your gates and doors appropriately.

Secondly, residents should ensure that they do not open their doors to any person, official or otherwise, that they were not expecting. The simple rule is that when in doubt, do not open the doors to any person.

Both the above preventative measures should become part of every household’s response to the present environment, including informing their domestic employees to respond in the same manner.

Most of our crimes are largely contributed to the above modus operandi.

However, I wish to bring to your attention that above mentioned article is reasonably accurate in the report of the Fairland policeman arrested for robbery in Rosenttenville. However, as no name was mentioned of the cop arrested by police and a picture of the Station Commissioner appears, it erroneously creates an impression or perception by the community that the Station Commissioner may have been the perpetrator mentioned.

The Fairland CPF has received various complaints in this regard and wish to categorically confirm that the police officer arrested– a constable at the Fairlands Police Station– and the Station Commissioner has been diligently following up on all the activities of this particular accused in determining, whether this constable was involved in any local robberies.

The Fairland CPF would like to confirm that the Station Commissioner has been extremely passionate in his duties and has displayed commitment in ensuring the safety and security of our community, and we would like to confirm and ensure the community of the Fairlands precinct that their safety is both the police’s and our priority.