Business sector discusses safety and security problems with SAPS
Springs police hosted a successful safety and security meeting with the Springs business sector on Wednesday.
The aim of the meeting was to put in place a structure for the commercial and industrial business sector of Springs.
The police recently contacted Anita Greeff, general manager of the Eastern Gauteng Chamber of Commerce, to request the meeting and she accordingly sent out a notice to all chamber members.
She says the meeting was well attended by all the larger industries in Springs.
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A number of problems experienced by businesses with the police were raised by representatives of businesses.
Col Doctor Mtimkulu, the head of Visible Policing (Vispol), and his team of sector managers and Crime Intelligence were present.
SAPS spokesman Capt Johannes Ramphora says to form a good relationship with the business sector, they need their cooperation.
Ramphora supports the idea of the establishment of the suggested safety and security forum.
“The outcome of this meeting means that the businesses are interested in working with the police in their fight against crime,” he says.
Mike du Toit, chairman of the Springs Community Police Forum, who chaired the meeting, says the exchange between SAPS and business was frank and open and covered areas ranging from customer service centre problems to non-enforcement of by-laws, as well as the drug culture taking hold in our streets.
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He suggested that businesses organise themselves into a safety and security forum along the lines of the existing neighbourhood and sector CPFs.
“They should do it under the auspices of the chamber, which will be able to fill the role of secretariat for the organisation,” he says.
The forum should then elect a chairman and small committee that would represent business at the Springs Precinct CPF.
Du Toit says although the meeting consisted mainly of representatives of large companies, they urge small businesses to get involved as well.
For more information contact Anita at the chamber on 011 815 5750.
