Forum to tackle ‘broken window’ syndrome
The safety and security of communities is no longer a matter just for the attention of the police, and this is demonstrated by the increasing participation of citizens in curbing crime.
The 250-plus delegates who recently attended the Ekurhuleni Community Safety Forum Conference, in Germiston, confirmed this.
The aim of the conference was to bring together all stakeholders involved in community safety within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan region, in order to form a Community Safety Forum (CSF).
“The purpose of the CSF is to galvanise and bring together all community safety and security stakeholders for a common goal,” said member of the mayoral committee for Community Safety Mthuthuzeli Siboza.
“The common goal is to create conditions that are conducive to bringing harmony and stability to our communities.”
Siboza explained that a CSF is meant to deal with any safety matters within a community that make people unsafe in their street, home, or place of work.
The forum is, therefore, responsible for driving and facilitating the Ekurhuleni Community Safety Plan, which was also adopted at the conference.
This plan is divided into five objectives, which were identified as cross-cutting concerns within neighbourhoods in Ekurhuleni.
It includes the improvement of the physical environment, by-law enforcement and youth crime prevention. The last two highlight ensuring reduction of priority crimes and establishing a social and community development centre.
The CSF broader coordinating committee, which comprises 10 members, six of who are community representatives, will be required to submit quarterly progress reports on the implementation of the five objectives.
Stakeholders involved in the Ekurhuleni CSF include the relevant structures of the South African Police Services, the departments of Justice and Constitutional Development, Defence, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Home Affairs, Social Development and Education.
Independent security companies and agencies, religious forums, business associations, ward structures and other civic organisations are also contributors.
