The Bramley Community Police Forum (CPF) called for greater participation within the organisation at an Annual General Meeting hosted in Sandton on 11 May.
The non-elective meeting took place in Sandhurst and saw various issues which affect the police precinct addressed, including the forum’s financial report and an address from the station commander and chairperson.
Present at the meeting to give his report was Harvey Phalatse, the Bramley CPF chairperson, who spoke of the Know-Your-Neighbour campaign which is aimed at addressing the issue of community participation within the forum.
“As the CPF, we are battling with maximum participation within the forum and, hopefully, through this campaign we’ll be able to encourage residents to get to know one another and spread the message,” Phalatse said.
“The campaign is a good way to take note of what’s going on in your neighbourhood and to be able to avert any criminal activities taking place.”
Other issues he addressed included the increased collaboration between the CPF, police and Metro police, especially with regards to the reinforcement of city bylaws within the precinct. He lauded the progress, while also noting that more needed to be done to further improve the collaboration.
Bramley Police Station acting station commander, Colonel Gonaseelan Govender, also addressed residents and presented the station commander’s report on crime statistics and noted some of the challenges facing the community. “The community is still facing a big problem with contact crimes, which are murder, rape, assault and armed robbery incidents, which have increased this year,” he said.
“On the other hand, there has been success in… incidents such as malicious damage to property and we are making positive strides there.”
Govender also spoke of the issue of prostitutes in Sector 3, which he stressed was a big problem, but one the police were working on to decrease. Other issues included the financial report and the now-operational Victim Empowerment Unit, which would be equipped to deal with trauma victims.
Details: harveyp@joburg.org.za
