CPF lays out plans for 2020

Edenvale Community Police Forum is looking forward to facing the new challenges and experiences 2020 are set to bring.

ECPF chairperson Sheryl Damerell said although 2019 was a hard year, it was a good year in terms of fighting crime.

She said during the year the CPF assisted law enforcement agencies with solving several major crimes with information gathered from the community and surveillance cameras.

“Although community members may not have seen immediate results, there were multiple successes.

“Investigations take time and due process needs to be followed.”

Damerell said it was recently declared that ECPF achieved a 95 per cent operational status.

A proud Damerell said although the ECPF needed to be rebuilt, she believes it has regained the community’s trust.

“We will always have our sceptics, but I challenge them to assist us in finding solutions.”

Looking to the future of 2020, Damerell said the ECPF has several large projects and initiatives it hopes to complete.

First on the ECPF’s list is the expansion of the camera project.

Damerell said there are several main roads in Edenvale which need to have cameras installed.

She explained that the cameras assist in the prevention of crimes and catching criminals or persons of interest.

“Other towns and areas like Sebenza, Primrose and Bedfordview have camera projects in place which assists law enforcement agencies in the area establish a network of information.”

Another large project the ECPF, in partnership with community stakeholders and law enforcement agencies, is to host educational workshops.

With the legal uncertainty surrounding the use of marijuana, a workshop will be held to educate the community and what can and cannot be done.

“In the year to come we are going to take the fight against drugs seriously.”

Another workshop the CPF plans to host is for domestic violence.

The workshop aims to educate and empower the community and victims of domestic abuse.

“We want the community to know that help is available and there are people to talk to.”

Lastly, Damerell said the ECPF is looking forward to the Coffee with a Cop campaign, which is set to make its way to Edenvale early this year.

The campaign will allow community members to interact with various representatives from policing units.

“Although 2020 will be a busy year, the ECPF will not shy away from any challenges,” said Damerell.

She wished community members a happy and safe year ahead and requests them to be the change that society needs.