Pro-active CCPO committee aims for closer ties

The new Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO) committee is chomping at the bit to eradicate crime in Toti.

Chairman, George Lithgow believes a pro-active approach is needed to garner even more positive results in combating crime.

“I would like to thank the outgoing committee for the exceptional work they have carried out in past years,” he said. “Their commitment to our community’s security has been exceptional.

Quinton and Cindy Rutherford and John Lewis have served on the committee from the evening the CCPO was born in the civic centre, where more than 2,000 people attended the meeting.

As chairman I am extremely excited with the new committee, as this is a highly dedicated team of individuals who will help rescue this town from the scourge of crime.”

George said the plan is to go back to the drawing board and look at every avenue to improve the standard of security to all members the crime fighting organisation serves.

“Our operations team will be a significant part of our success, with all four committee members having police and security backgrounds, which allows us to co-ordinate and task initiatives right from the start.

Our aim is to make the CCPO a more pro-active unit, rather than a reactive unit to stop crime before it happens instead of reacting to it once it has happened.”

The CCPO will have meetings with the management of Toti SAPS and Metro Police, together with security providers in the area to co-ordinate teams to resolve crime issues in the town. “This is paramount to the overall success of eliminating crime,” said George.

Committee members have been tasked to obtain copies of all the new eThekwini bylaws to assist authorities.

“We have also appointed Kelly Fourie in sales who is promoting the CCPO and obtaining new members, as this is the essential ingredient to provide more guards and create more visibility to make the area safe.

A large proportion of our community who live in complexes and flats have not joined the CCPO, as they believe they live in a safe haven. However, our statistics paint a very different picture in that most crime that takes place is outside their place of residence. This is why we urge all body corporates to join and make a real difference.

We appeal to all our members and residents to keep the CCPO crime hotline number 083-393-5066 on their cellphones and report any suspicious behaviour and to be vigilant at all times.

This is a community project where all residents can participate and really make a difference and fulfil our new CCPO committees motto which is to make this the safest town in South Africa. Together we can make this happen.”