POLOKWANE – Last Sunday, the community of Ext 71 in Block A held a meeting where several residents put up their hands to volunteer for night street patrols.
General safety and curbing of crime in the area prompted community members to group themselves and patrol for the safety of their families and their valuables.
The social crime prevention co-ordinator of the Westenburg Police Station, Sgt Shipalane Shipalane said the CPF members have not been formally introduced to the community yet as they still need to undergo formal training and be inducted by the station commander, Col Maimele Pilusa.
Even so, she said they will be of great help to the police to identify particular crime hotspots.
“As soon as we are ready to let them begin work, we will introduce them to the locals. They need to learn how to render proper service to the people without harming themselves, hence the need for training,” said Shipalane.
A resident told Polokwane Observer that it is heart-warming to see some of these newly elected CPF members having finally received recognition from the police, as they were always concerned about the safety of the locals, making their rounds even at night without professional help.
