ALTHOUGH attendance was less than expected, the Community Policing Forum (CPF) has hailed the peaceful crime walk on Saturday, 2 April as part of the #CrimeMustFall programme as successful.
“We appreciate all those who attended the #CrimeMustFall official launch and witnessed the historic event where the Minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko signed the memorandum of understanding,” said CPF PRO, Tommy Ackermann.
About 200 people joined the walk from Toti CBD to Hutchison Park.
The programe received national coverage from the SABC and the minister committed to return to Toti within 60 days with a more resourced team to roll out some of the SAPS programmes to address the #CrimeMustFall objectives.
“The CPF’s immediate programme is to work closely with security companies to address the unregulated car guard challenge with close guidance from Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA),” said Ackermann. PSIRA will conduct a programme in Beach Road on Friday, 8 April to understand the challenge and how to address the issue.
The CPF will also convene all liquor license holders in the Toti area to closely monitor their conduct, especially when it comes to underage drinking and trafficking of drugs. “We applaud the KZN Liquor Board’s pro-active stance for affording the community an input in whether to grant the renewing of liquor licenses through the CPF,” said Ackermann.
Primary and high schools will receive visits from the CPF to create awareness of substance abuse. “We receive complaints from schools about this growing trend and unless we nip it in the bud, the consequences could be dire.”
The CPF thanked Sapphire Coast Tourism chairman, Kim McCarthy for supporting the programme. “We echo her sentiments that crime has the potential to rob Toti of its major economic contributor – tourism.
The Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO) has shown it has the interest of the community and its safety at heart. The CCPO’s contribution during deliberation with the minister had a remarkable influence on the objectives of the programme.
Toti police station comander, Col Bonginkosi Nkabinde and his staff have shown solidarity with the cries of the community to have a more effective and sufficient police service. The CPF in its memorandum of understanding raised issues that will enhance public confidence and ensure the community is behind the station commander and his officers in the fight against crime. Community policing is fundamental towards the success of a crime-free society.
We accept the silent apology from all who expected the peaceful walk to be destructive in nature. It will assist them greatly to do some introspection about themselves as their perceived outlook to life could be the source of their negativity.
Those serviced by Amanzimtoti SAPS are humble people with sincere concerns and we are prepared to roll up our sleeves to make a difference to our immediate neighbours’ life, something the critics of #CrimeMustFall might not associate with,” said Ackermann.
