CPF highlights crime patterns
Bellair residents raise safety concerns during the Community Police Forum meeting.
THE Bellair Community Police Forum (CPF) Sub Forum 1 recently held its first meeting of the year to report back on crime patterns and speak to the residents about the role of the CPF.
The meeting, held at Faith Centre Ministries, saw members from the Mount Vernon Delta’s, Arundel Neighbourhood Watch, the Huntley Neighbourhood Watch, South Park Patrol, the Watsin Crime Watch, and the Woodlands Rangers, who make up Sub Forum 1, report incidents of crime.
Also read: Pinetown SAPS to host engagement meeting
Chairperson of the Bellair CPF, Clive Reddy, also addressed the meeting where some of the issues raised included drinking in public, overgrown bushes which were allowing criminal elements to access the area, and tyre theft.
Riki Devnarain, the Sub Forum 1 chairperson, also touched on the importance of the CPF.
“Some of the watches have taken it upon themselves to be proactive and cut back bushes. By doing this there is nowhere for the criminals to hide. Every small bit helps and these monthly meetings are not about instilling fear but rather finding ways we as a community can work together. We have 16 teams that work in the area and each team are the eyes and ears. We have noticed a drop-off in patrols for some members and I understand that due to rise in petrol prices,” he said.
Also read: Nazareth community voices grievances over crime
Captain Prithviraj Kumar, the Visible Policing (Vispol) Commander of Bellair SAPS, who also attended the meeting, encouraged more visibility from patrollers, especially in the Mount Vernon and Hillary areas.
In response the Mount Vernon Delta’s conducted a snake patrol in the area.
Also read: Community member creates initiatives to empower young people
The Sub Forum 1 meetings have now moved to the first Monday of every month at Faith Centre Ministries on Stella Road.
If you would like to join the patrollers, contact Riki on 082 414 1147 or Kaven on 072 557 7305.
For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter here
