Uniting for crime prevention
DIEPSLOOT - Community members working with the police was the focus of Diepsloot police's crime prevention camp at Riversands Incubation Hub.
The full-day programme was initiated by the Diepsloot Police Station Youth Desk and engaged community leaders from each sector in the Diepsloot policing precinct. Honeydew cluster commander, Major General Oswald Reddy; the Greater Kyalami Conservancy; Diepsloot Community Policing Forum; and representatives from the Diepsloot Youth Programme were in attendance.
The purpose of the camp was to unite and empower the people of Diepsloot to fight child negligence, substance abuse and crime, and in doing so make the Diepsloot community safer.
During the first part of the camp Reddy addressed the Diepsloot community leaders and said, “Police should be respected not feared.”
Reddy explained that the Diepsloot community has been calling for more rigid policing in the area, as well as the implementation of tactical response.
“The problem I see in Diepsloot is that there is no unity,” Reddy said.
After a general discussion, guests were divided into two groups which were addressed by the Teddy Bear Clinic and the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Guests then split into smaller groups for team-building activities and mind-mapping what a safe, united and better Diepsloot would look like.
Details: Diepsloot station commander 071 675 7477;
South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence 078 457 2058; sancacentral@mweb.co.za
