The Sandton CPF AGM recently hosted their AGM

The Sandton Community Police Forum (CPF) recently hosted their annual general meeting (AGM) at the Redhill High School in Morningside.

The meeting was attended by the Sandton CPF, Sandton police, Metro police, Sandton Guardians and community members that were interested in the reports provided by role players.

Sandton CPF chairperson, Anthony Modena gave the chairman’s report, which was titled, ‘This is our future, we can make it work’. His report included some of the direct effects of crime on the economy.

Noting an incident earlier this year where a busload of tourists were robbed. “Within 24 hours they were on their way back [home] and we do know that they went back to tell everyone it is not safe in South Africa,” said Modena.

In 2017, the CPF identified improving communications and improving policing through starting a community based patrolling programme. “The Sandton Guardians was the result of that.”

Modena said this year one of the main goals is to start a more cohesive partnership with Metro police and establish a with coordinating control centre. “With the control centre, we intend to connect security, JMPD, police and coordinate any incidents from that facility.”

Modena reiterated the four strategic guidelines of the Sandton CPF:

• Developing our socio-economy: “We identified the need to foster the creation of jobs and accommodation for people coming into our community. In this regard, we have been active in promoting the needs of the Clay Oven community with Council.”
• Getting to know our neighbours: Modena said it is not only about getting to know your direct neighbours or people on your street, but there are other neighbouring communities. “One of these is Alexandra and will foster good relationships with our neighbours.”
• Developing dialogue: “We need a better alignment, cooperation and integration between the different role players. Those role players are the public, provincial, City Council, Saps and private security as well as those linked to the security environment in Sandton.”
• Developing effective policing: “The cooperation developed between security companies has produced very good results with some significant arrests being facilitated by them throughout the year.”

Brigadier Egen Moodley, station commander at the Sandton Police Station, provided insight from his report on the crime situation in the area. The report included figures from a number of operations that were held and the number of arrests effected by Sandton police for various crimes.

Moodley said the average reaction time for crimes in progress was just over 11 minutes and they responded to 2 163 calls. Sandton police received 2 440 calls for crimes that had already occurred such as housebreakings, and the average response time was just over 13 minutes.

Lastly, Moodley said they received 3 762 calls for attempted crimes and the reaction time was also over 13 minutes.

Moodley commented that the implementation of new technology also assists them a lot.

“We want participation in the CPF, not just your resources. The Sandton Guardians are patrolling with their own cars and fuel and CPF members are volunteers that do not get paid, but you have the full support from the Sandton Police Station,” ended Moodley.

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