The Sandton Community Police Forum (CPF) Sector 3 chairperson recently announced that he is stepping down.
The Sandton Chronicle caught up with Julian Ortlepp to talk about his future endeavours.
Ortlepp, who is an arborist, has been part of the Sandton CPF for just over a year. He attended St Stithians and later Bryanston High School and has lived in Parkmore for the past 10 years.
After he finished school he worked as a ticket salesperson at a cinema group before joining a tree company as a team leader. “I worked for various tree companies and did a practical in Boston USA and then started my own business, which I have been running for 14 years.”
Owning a business and having a family takes up most of his free time. “If I do get a second, I go to the gym, run or chill in front of the television.”
Ortlepp enjoys most outdoor activities and loves the bush. “We have a beautiful country.”
After being asked to get involved in the CPF, he went along to a meeting and joined. “I decided to get involved, as policing is such an important aspect of our communities.”
Some of the notable moments in the forum were working with other members of the Sandton CPF and police service. “Sandton Saps has a great group of senior officers who are doing their best. There are challenges and sometimes complaints, but these are dealt with efficiently by them.”
One of the downsides Ortlepp experienced during his time was attending the murder scene of an elderly man who was only found days later by a concerned community member.
His said his decision to resign from the CPF is due to his business that requires his full attention now. “I am embarking on some exciting new projects.”
Ortlepp said that the new applicant should, in addition to the requirements to join CPF such as a police clearance, show a willingness to get involved with the community and be a team player.
His parting words to the community are, “Get to know your local CPF, go to the meetings, participate and have your say. The sector meetings are a great place to interact with Saps as they attend these meetings and report on past events in that sector.
Ortlepp said that if you live on a road that has a closure, it is important that a representative is present at the sector meetings and get involved.
“When you get involved you realise that it’s not always doom and gloom and there are many, many great people involved in the fight against crime.”
Do you have any messages for the Sector 3 chairperson? Share them on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page
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