The Parkview Community Policing Forum (CPF) will hold an annual general meeting where a new committee will be elected.
The meeting is open to all residents and will take place on 26 July at the Pavillion Room at Marks Park in Emmarentia.
Brendon Grainger, acting chairperson of the forum said, as a body, they are inviting participation from residents in the precinct. “It’s not just about voting for people,” said Grainger.
“The forum needs people interested in giving their time and the expertise or skills who want to get involved actively with the CPF.”
Carol Millard, chairperson of the Greenside Residents’ Association, echoed Grainger’s sentiments, saying that the forum was looking to appoint individuals who have a genuine interest in their immediate suburb and a strong desire to make it a better place for themselves, their neighbours and families.
“We are looking for people to join the forum, individuals who can network well within their communities and it’s through those individuals that we can filter information,” she said.
The Parkview Saps CPF precinct covers the northern suburbs of Craighall Park, a small part of Dunkeld West, Parktown North and West, Parkview, Westcliff, Emmarentia, Greenside, Parkhurst and a small part of Roosevelt extension.
According to Grainger the forum is a legally defined civilian body drawn from residents, business associations and local groups within the precinct.
“The main purpose is to create the link between residents and local organisations. It is to provide input, guidance and identify priorities from a crime-fighting, crime-prevention perspective,” explained the acting chairperson.
“Secondly, the main objective and, possibly the most important, is the oversight function of the police through meetings and report-backs from them
“It is also to give an overview of whether they are doing what is expected, if there are complaints and to ensure that those complaints are being acted upon.”
On major crimes affecting the precinct, Grainger said vehicle-related crimes topped the list followed by armed and driveway robberies.
“When people are socialising and congregating around social nodes they drive there, and often vehicle theft or theft out of motor vehicles occur,” he added. “Arrests are made but, sadly, there are a lot of criminals out there and they do reoccur.”
Grainger said that residents in the precinct were satisfied with the service provided by the police. He said crime stats proved that the Parkview Police Station was doing well compared to peer stations.
Millard added, “We work hand-in-hand with the police and they, in turn, are able to tell those two forums [CSF (WHAT’S THAT?) and CPF] where they need help.”
CSF meetings take place every third Thursday of every month at the Parkview Police Station boardroom at 6pm in the evening. Residents in the precinct are encouraged by the forum to attend.
For more information or nominations for the CPF, residents must contact the Parkview Police Station or their local residents’ association.
