Crime, safety and
security:
an overview and what the CRA is doing to help residents
What about 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.
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. 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.
So what’s
happening?
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!
Reflect on the words of well-known and respected
businessman Francois
Marais:
“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."
What CAN we do?
There are many challenges and two key points emerge:
1.
We will not be able to address all
the issues. Priorities will need to be set.
2.
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 to identify issues and opportunities for improvement. Resources are
unfortunately limited and there are many ways in which residents can exist in
their field of expertise, be it training, trauma counselling or simply assisting
in an administrative capacity at the station. We are developing programmes to
support the team, eg motivational programmes and basic training around working
with the community, telephones skills etc.
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 Philip
who is responsible for co-ordinating the monthly roster.
Two hours a month is all that’s needed.
For more information about SAPS Parkview, click
here.
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 plan is to meet the
main service providers on a monthly basis to review performance. We’ll provide
residents with regular updates.
3.
The Craigpark Public Spaces Security
(PSS) scheme
This scheme is due to replace the original
Community Security Scheme introduced early in 2007. Its implementation is in
response to a call by the community to do more to combat the high level of crime
being experienced.
Due to start on 1 October 2008, CSS Tactical will have four 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 cameras.
The main objective is that crime is prevented BEFORE it happens. For more
details contact Simonne
Mungle or Bianca
de Roland Philips or Richard
King: otherwise go to the PSS page
for information/subscribing to the PSS scheme.
4.
Communication with and from residents
“Your safety” meetings for residents.
Three or four meetings a year are being planned – we held the first one in
early October and one is planned for November. We plan for these meetings to be
informative about both crime at large as well as what it means in our specific
neighbourhoods. The idea is to:
Encourage attendance via well-informed specialists in the field.
Report back on progress around initiatives.
Encourage residents
to participate directly in certain initiatives
Regular updates in the CRA’s monthly Newsletter.
- For
residents to keep the CRA informed, we have created our own on-line Craigpark
Incident Advice form so that you make us aware of an event. By being
made aware, we can focus resources more effectively. It is not intended to
make public anyone’s unfortunate experience.
6.
Domestic Watch
The Domestic Watch programme was relaunched at
the beginning of 2008 and has been very well attended. However, more volunteers
are needed urgently to assist Kerryn
Lawson.
Your safety
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.
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 August 2008
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