In particular, this year has seen a strengthening of the partnerships between the Sandton CPF and police, Metro police, City Parks and City of Johannesburg, as well as ward councillors, residents’ associations, businesses, churches and other organisations in Sandton.
Spokesperson for the CPF, Linda Wilkins said, “These partnerships are the pillars upon which community policing depends, and if they are not strong, we cannot fight crime effectively.”
Through the four sectors, the community policing forum operates on a volunteer basis to take control of crimes which occur in the area by providing information and crime prevention advice to residents to help others work towards the safety of their communities.
The Sandton CPF has also seen some changes. The five-year elective annual general meeting in June saw a new chairperson, Anthony Modena, replacing Wendy Vorster-Robertson, who served the Sandton community with the utmost dedication, commitment and passion for many years.
“The Sandton CPF warmly thanks Wendy for her dedication and for her outstanding work in building the Sandton CPF,” said Modena.
Bylaw enforcement is an important aspect of community policing. The Sandton CPF works together with Metro police and their sector commanders on traffic, green belts, roads and other bylaw enforcement. Illegal construction of shacks, squatters and vagrants in the green belt, traffic violations, non-documented persons and illegal employment practices are just some of the bylaw infringement issues which are addressed.
“The Sandton CPF is built on strong co-operation between the Sandton community, Sandton police, Metro police, security companies and businesses in the area. We work closely together and we have an excellent base of people on our sector committees to take us forward into next year,” said Rob Cumming, Sandton CPF Sector 2 chairperson.
Sandton CPF Sector 1 will hold an annual general meeting in February next year in order to vote in a new chairperson.
In addition to community policing, there is another aspect to the Sandton CPF which is the Victim Empowerment Programme. In the programme, more than 40 volunteers give tirelessly of their time and energy by offering free counselling to people who have been at the receiving end of crime. “We work out of Sandton Police Station and we make contact with over 200 victims of crime each month,” said Susan Egdes, who heads up the Victim Empowerment Programme at the Sandton Police Station.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank both previous and present role players and communities who have contributed to the successes the Sandton CPF achieved this year,” said Modena.
“The Sandton CPF extends warm wishes to each and every person and organisation in the Sandton community for a blessed festive season, safe travels and a well-deserved rest. Please remain vigilant, look after yourselves and may you see in the new year with peace, harmony and safety,” Modena concluded.
Details: admin@sandtoncpf.co.za
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