Sandton CPF encourages more community involvement

The Sandton Community Policing Forum gathered in Woodmead to host their annual general meeting and reveal crime statistics compared to last year.

The forum relies on the partnership between communities, the police, the Johannesburg Metro Police as well as ward councillors, residents and security companies to ensure that the community is safe for all.

Chairperson Anthony Modena said that the forum plays a vital role in helping create a better society, however, there is still much work that needs to be done within the communities to bring down crime.

The forum has identified a number of key initiatives, including fostering job creation within indigent communities and rehabilitating the Braamfontein Spruit, among others. Modena said that the involvement of the community and businesses is essential and they plead for community members to get involved. “Our goal is to make Sandton one of the top ten safest cities in the world in the next five years.”

District Commissioner General Max Masha attended the meeting and praised all those involved for their commitment to community safety.

“We, as the police, are working for you and if we don’t have a relationship with you and you are not close to us, that leaves a road between you and us where the criminals can operate.”

He added that he hopes all of those who are involved with the community policing forum resist the temptation to give up when they face challenges, as this is when their work is most important.

Some crime statistics from the Sandton Police Station were shared on the evening. While there was a slight increase in contact crimes compared to last year, common robberies grew by over 40 per cent. Property-related crimes, which include various types of burglary and theft, went down by 16 per cent. Trio crimes, such as carjackings, house robberies and business robberies, went down by 13 per cent.

Finances remain one of the biggest challenges for the operation of the CPF. Modena pleaded with more community members to offer their assistance, even if it is with their skills or knowledge. Their annual golf day will be hosted on 24 July at the Bryanston Country Club. For more details, contact Yogi Govender on admin@sandtoncpf.co.za

Details: Sandton CPF admin@sandtoncpf.co.za

Did you attend the meeting? Share your thoughts on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page

Related Articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/203831/sandton-cpf-agm-2/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/225680/support-the-sandton-cpf-at-annual-golf-day/