Randpark Ridge crime plan ‘not a breakaway’ forum

A group of Randpark Ridge community members came together on 18 October at the Boskruin Community Centre to discuss a way forward on how to deal with what they consider to be a worrying crime spike in the area.

However, the meeting quickly escalated to a debate on whether or not this was the correct platform to voice these concerns, with institutions like the Community Policing Forum (CPF) already in place.

At the front was Juan Koch, community member and former policeman, who gave residents a bit of insight on how to report and handle a crime if they were ever exposed to one.

He also encouraged security companies to work together this festive season.

Leading up to the meeting Koch has been accused of breaking away from security forums and initiatives already in place, like the Honeydew CPF, with some saying two parallel bodies will weaken efforts to fight crime.

But Koch argued that it is not a breakaway, but a joint community operation instead.

“For such a long time I have been trying to get the attention of service providers and institutions who need to look after safety and security in the community.

“I am reaching out from a grassroots level to the community policing forums and historical institutions on how to communicate with them, strengthen them and support them,” he said. “We want to be counted and want to be heard. The current institutions are stagnant.”

Some community members said the responsibility lies with residents to contact and join their CPF sectors and that this body is already in place to deal with crime.

Jon Rosenburg, the Honeydew CPF’s public relations officer said the CPF took a decision to send out a communique that the correct platform to discuss these issues is the monthly CPF sector meeting and as such ‘they were not attending breakaway meetings’.

Residents who wish to provide input on this issue can email info@rr41.co.za

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