Pinetown Police launch new era of community engagement
Pinetown Police Station are calling on community members to be a part of the community imbizo (meeting) as they embark on one of many to keep members updated on crime statistics in the area.
THE Pinetown Police have launched a series of monthly engagement meetings aimed at engaging the community and promoting transparency and accountability.
The first meeting was held on Saturday (November 30) in Pinetown. Headed by Station Commander Brigadier Leon Matthysen, the meeting featured a presentation on local crime statistics and trends, including murder, rape, theft and housebreaking.
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Pinetown Police Station Communications Officer Jennifer Naidu said the meeting was a testament to the station’s dedication to creating a safe and supportive environment for all members of the community.
“To ensure that all voices were heard, suggestion boxes and evaluation sheets were made available for those who preferred to provide feedback anonymously or in writing. The community took full advantage of this opportunity, providing valuable insights and suggestions,” Naidu said.
A representative from the justice system provided a detailed explanation of the processes involved in domestic violence cases. He emphasised the importance of following through with the legal process and cautioned that closing a domestic violence case can have serious consequences.
The community raised several concerns, including the need for increased police presence in certain areas. The Community and Safety Liaison Office pledged to deploy a dedicated officer to work with SAPS Pinetown on gender-based violence cases on a daily basis.
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“SAPS Pinetown’s groundbreaking imbizo has set a new standard for community policing, not only in KwaZulu-Natal but throughout the country. The station’s commitment to transparency, accountability and collaboration is a shining example of what can be achieved when police and community work together,” Naidu said.
Community members are encouraged to pay close attention to find out where the next imbizo will be.
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