Overview of Crime, Safety and Security
Crime, safety and security: an overview and what the CRA is doing to help residents
What about crime?
Our society is under siege and, at times, runs the very real risk of being engulfed in a sense of helplessness when it comes to crime. Is it due to poverty? Desperate foreigners? Actually it doesn’t matter – we need to face the fact that it’s we who own the problem. The issue facing us is the belief that we can do nothing, that crime is the government’s or the Police’s problem. In fact the very real danger facing all of us has much less the criminal at its heart than it does the lack of involvement – almost apathy - of the communities crime tears apart.
The CRA community is fortunate that several residents have taken on the challenge of the Security Portfolio. However, the only way crime is going to be reduced in our suburbs is by the active participation of the entire community. You simply have to get involved and there are a host of opportunities in which you can play a part - no matter who you are. This is not about big, beefy men walking the streets with baseball bats!
So what’s happening?
Reflect on the words of well-known and respected businessman Francois Marais:There are many challenges and two key points emerge:
“People tend not to think that their contribution will make a difference, but we've passed the point where we can hold government and the police accountable for crime. Unless communities pull together, there's little chance individual efforts against crime will succeed."
Let’s work with the Police
What CAN we do?
- We will not be able to address all the issues. Priorities will need to be set.
- We will need the full engagement of the CRA community if we have any hope of success.
The priorities *********************************
1. Working with SAPS Parkview
A positive working relationship with the team at SAPS Parkview is critical. To this end we meet regularly with the Station Commander and/or attend the monthly CSF (Community Security Forum) meetings to identify issues and opportunities for improvement.
One initiative is the joint Craigpark/SAPS Street Patrols. This initiative involves residents teaming up with the SAPS to conduct patrols of the neighbourhood. The SAPS provides two officers and the resident provides his vehicle with himself as driver. Together they rove the neighbourhood with the SAPS members conducting all policing activities. The resident plays no part, other than driving his vehicle. Radios are provided so that the team is in constant contact with SAPS Parkview. We are looking for residents to commit to two hours a month in support of this programme. If you are prepared to make this contribution to the community, please contact Chris Taylor to see when help is needed.
2. The interface with Security Companies (ADT/SAS/CSS Tactical/Chubb/other)
Most residents in our neighbourhood are contracted to one of the mainstream Armed Response companies. The CRA’s Security Working Group has identified the need for a close partnership with these service providers as a method of combating crime. The main service providers are invited to SAPS Parkview's Community Safety Forum on a monthly basis to review crime incidents in the area. We’ll provide residents with regular updates, as we get them.
3. The Craigpark Public Spaces Security (PSS) scheme
This scheme replaced the original Community Security Scheme introduced early in 2007. Its implementation was in response to a call by the community to do more to combat the high level of crime being experienced.
Since 1 October 2008, CSS Tactical has introduced three dedicated 24/7 patrol vehicles in the suburbs, each manned by two highly-trained personnel. We really hope that this time around, community support will allow us to roll out the full solution, including a further patrol vehicle and surveillance cameras at strategic intersections.
The main objective is that crime is prevented BEFORE it happens. For more details contact Tony Webb, Amy Allan or Richard King: otherwise go to the PSS page for information/subscribing to the PSS scheme. Contact Amy or Richard if you can assist us as a street rep to inform more residents about the benefits of the PSS scheme.
4. Communication with and from residents
“Your safety” meetings for residents; Regular updates in the CRA’s monthly Newsletter.
Domestic Watch
The Domestic Watch programme was relaunched at the beginning of 2008 and has been very well attended. Meetings are held on the last Friday of each month at the Wesleyan Church, cnr Norfolk & Beaufort Aves, CHP. The meetings are open to anyone who lives or works in our area and cover topics ranging from essential First Aid to how to report suspicious activity. Sue Harris is the CRA co-ordinator - contact her if you need more information.
Your safety
Parkview police telephone numbers
IN ALL CASES, phone 10111 in the first instance to report a crime or suspicious loiterers etc. Subscribers to the PSS scheme will be able to phone CSS Tactical at 0861 911 119.
Updated October 2009
Consult SECURITY TIPS for practical tips on just how you can make a difference to both your own and the community’s safety and security.
