Roodepoort CPF hosts gathering
With the CPF, neighbourhood watches and media working together crime could be decreased in Roodepoort, say residents.
The Roodepoort Community Policing Forum (CPF) recently hosted a gathering to promote media coverage of crime in the area.
The event, organised by members of the CPF executive committee and hosted by Close the Gap Consulting and Training had many community stakeholders come together to network. Key members of Roodepoort neighbourhood watch organisations, the Region C Council, the record and the Roodepoort Police were present on the night.
“It’s not a game,” said CPF chairperson Leon Viera about crime.
“It’s a war and we’re losing,” he added.
Viera gave some statistics in his opening speech, saying that 20 000 are murdered in South Africa in a year, boldly comparing it to the 50 000 deaths during the whole Vietnam war.
Further, the Roodepoort policing area covers about 92 square kilometres and of the 180 000 plus residents, only about one per cent are involved in their community.
Colonel André Laing of the Roodepoort Police later said, “It is impossible for the police to work effectively without the support of our community”.
Each neighbourhood watch representative was given an opportunity to state the current crime trends in their respective areas. Matthys van Rensburg of the Western Suburbs Roodepoort Neighbourhood Watch referred to the West Rand as the “Wild West” and said crime should feature more prominently in local media to increase awareness.
“With our combined efforts and media support we can make a difference,” said Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch’s Francois Theron.
For more information contact Margaret Roodt on 082 940 3509.
Neighbourhood watch organisations in Roodepoort:
• Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch: Joey Price on 082 810 6934
• Honey Hills Neighbourhood Watch: Margaret Roodt on 082 940 3509
• Horizon View Neighbourhood Watch: James Clark on 072 532 9460
• Western Suburbs Roodepoort Neighbourhood Watch (Witpoortjie, Grobler Park, Reefhaven and Lindhaven): Frik van Zyl on 082 688 1740
• Quellerina Neighbourhood Watch: Trevor on 083 370 2527
• Helderkloof Neighbourhood Watch: Gary Colling on 082 352 7276
• Horison Neighbourhood Watch: Michelle Basson on 072 120 0863
• Tornado Park Neighbourhood Watch: Greg Hogan on 082 492 0671
• Ontdekkers Park South Neighbourhood Watch: Bernard Farrell on 078 813 1391
