Suburbs launch initiative to fight crime

The initiative, called Community Active Protection, aims to bolster the effort of residents against crime.

Community members have volunteered to knock on their neighbours’ doors to drum up support for the crime-fighting campaign, and they vowed to reclaim their streets and rid them of criminal activities. They are currently also manning tables over weekends at local supermarkets in the area to address any queries and collect pledges towards this initiative from members of the community.

Residents have also been requested to become more proactive and to report crime to the police.

Wulffers said, “We are used to living behind tall walls in our suburbs, and outsourcing our responsibility towards our security to security companies. We have become prisoners behind our own walls, often with little sense of who even our neighbours are. The only ones running free are the criminals.”

She added, “Our suburbs have not managed to avoid the hard-hitting crime wave in recent months. A number of incidents have

occurred in both suburbs that have prompted our community organisations to stand up and unite against crime.”

The community formed the Joint Safety and Security Committee to implement the safety programme, and meetings are

frequently held at Marks Park to discuss security and safety issues.

Wulffers said there have been many incidents, such as the one involving a domestic worker who was attacked. She noticed three men walking towards the kitchen door and one of the men pointed a firearm at her through the window, forcing her to open the door. The suspects entered the house and stole valuables.

They fled when an alarm went off at a neighbouring house.

According to Wulffers, communities working together would help prevent such incidents.

Details: 086 332 332 or email info@capgroup.org.za