FOLLOWING a productive 2015, Brighton Beach Community Policing Forum (CPF) is focused on a few problem areas in need of immediate attention in 2016.
“The CPF had a relatively successful year with good assistance from some eThekwini departments,” said CPF chairman, Carl Knauff.
The successes of the year include the removal of taxis in Tara Road opposite Oxford, although Knauff cites this as an ongoing project, as the drivers return frequently.
Knauff was happy with the increased visibility of Metro Police in the area, who have been conducting numerous road blocks.
During the festive season, policemen on horseback patrolled the beaches, 30 students were assigned to the police station to help in the shopping areas, two Metro Police members were assigned to the Bluff and the boom gate at Ansteys Beach monitored the influx of visitors.
“The positive attitude of Colonel Grobler and his team played an important role in making the Bluff one of the safest areas to stay in,” said Knauff.
Towards the end of 2015, the CPF was given a certificate from the police for dedicated work in the community.
“My thanks to the CPF committee and other members for their assistance,” he said.
Looking to 2016, he hopes to overcome the obstacles hindering the installation of a CCTV camera at Brighton Beach.
“This will improve the safety in that area tremendously and will allow the Metro Police and the SAPS patrols to focus on other areas,” he said, although municipal approval has not been received.
Still a major concern for the CPF is the safety of pupils leaving school in the afternoon, especially in Fynnlands.
“About 6,000 pupils from the four main schools need transport home after school and after their sport activities. This causes a major problem in the Fynnlands area, with pupils lingering in the shopping area.
The city’s bus service and routing has not been amended for years and there is only one dedicated bus to serves these schools. The rest of the pupils have to make use of bus services, private transport or taxis.”
Added to the problem of pupils waiting for transport is the sale of drugs in the area, targeting pupils. The CPF is looking into the problem and appreciates any assistance from the community in this regard.
