Norwood community encouraged to take charge in fighting crime

Following an intense public meeting on 10 August, the Norwood Community Policing Forum (CPF) has been urged by residents to take charge.

The meeting at the Norwood Police Station saw the attendance of various stakeholders including members of the police, Metro police and local councillors.

In the meeting, various issues affecting the area were discussed and theft of motor vehicle remains a huge challenge for the police.

Warrant Officer Riaan Riekert, acting head of the Crime Information Management and Analyst Centre at Norwood Police Station, provided a crime report.

Riekert said cars parked on the streets remained the main problem and people did not lock their vehicles and left their valuables in view.

“Half of the [vehicle] thefts are the result of cars not being locked. In terms of vehicle theft, VWs, Jetta’s, Hiluxes and Fortunas are the most [targeted] and [the police] do not inform the public about cars that are most often stolen,” said Riekert.

The new CPF chairperson Wandile Yani said there was a need to be active to create a safer environment and the community needed to be hands-on in dealing with crime.

“The Norwood Community Police Forum has no party political interests and represents the whole community. Councillors from any party remain our leaders and need to be on the police forum,” he said.

The problem of parking and implementation of bylaws on Grant Avenue was also discussed and a raid on illegal liquor outlets on Louis Botha Avenue was proposed.

Yani promised that at the next meeting on 7 September, representatives from the liquor board and Johannesburg Roads Agency would be invited.