LOCAL residents have responded to claims at last week’s Empangeni Community Policing Forum CPF) meeting that they are apathetic and ‘lazy’ when it comes to involvement in fighting crime.
‘There are many words one can use for the community of Empangeni; one of them is not lazy,’ ‘SBFC’ wrote on the Zululand Observer website.
The general consensus was because residents pay tax, their duties end there.
‘Is this not why we pay tax, to have police sort out crime?’ asked Christelle Harvey.
In agreement was a comment from Bossies, who wrote, ‘I pay my taxes, so I should not have to do anything to help fight crime! That is why there is a thing called a police force’.
Empangeni resident and interim CPF Chairperson Zilindile Masango said it is unfortunate that some members of the community do not realise the power they have to change society.
‘We all need a safe and peaceful community. Crime starts in our communities. Those who have decided to involve themselves in illegal activities come from our communities.
‘Research has shown that crime in our communities emanates from, among other things, social ills in our society,’
‘Broken family structures play a role in creating criminals. Often in these circumstances individuals turn to drugs, which ultimately lead to crime to feed their addiction. This happens in our communities, not in police stations,’ he said.
‘We are not saying the community should start patrolling or do anything that should be done by the police, but the objectives of the CPF in terms of the Constitution are to promote effective communication between the SAPS and the community.
• The next CPF meeting will be held on 8 January at the Empangeni Civic Centre at 5:30pm.
9 DECEMBER 2013
‘Lazy’ public needs wake-up call
WHILE the community continues to be vociferous about escalating crime in our region, they are obviously content to remain armchair critics instead of getting actively involved in anti-crime initiatives.
That is the only conclusion judging by the lack of interest the public displays towards local Community Policing Forum meetings.
The poor attendance of Thursday’s Empangeni Community Policing Forum (CPF) gathering is a case in point.
Although the 15 members present represented an improvement compared to previous meetings this year, the disappointing turnout raised concern about residents’ commitment to help combat the crime scourge plaguing the city.
‘Every month we have these meetings, and every month there are only a handful of people who attend,’ a resident said.
‘These same residents sit and complain about crime and the state of our country, but they are too lazy to do anything about it.’
Residents who attended made various suggestions, such as implementing a crime SMS group circulating information on suspected criminal activities within the area.
Concerns were raised regarding the lack of quick response when victims dial the emergency 10111 number, to which Empangeni police Warrant Officer Thulani Mthiyane stepped up and told residents to call the local police station directly on 035 9015806 as an alternative.
The next CPF meeting will be held on 8 January at the Empangeni Civic Centre at 5:30pm.
Until then, interim Chairperson Zilindile Masango has called upon the Empangeni police to draw up a document of crime statistics within the area over the upcoming festive season for report-back at next month’s meeting.
The concern about the low number of community members attending meetings should be addressed through an advertising campaign which would hopefully attract more interest.
