Norkem Park CPF Sector 1 holds a community meeting
With the community having issues to raise, CPF landed them an opportunity while giving them feedback of the latest stats.
To provide feedback on current crime trends and the challenges being faced in the area, Norkem Park CPF Sector 1 hosted a community meeting at Laerskool Edleen on February 22.
The meeting also served to update residents on upcoming events and CPF’s plans to curb crime.
Community members were allowed to voice their concerns about crime-related issues affecting the sector.
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Norkem Park CPF Sector 1 chairman, Willem du Plessis, highlighted that many residents fail to report crimes, which distorts crime statistics.
“The main issue raised was that residents were not opening cases for crimes occurring in the area.
“As a result, crime statistics reflect a lower crime rate than what is happening.
“This, in turn, impacts the resources allocated to Norkem Park SAPS, areas with higher crime rates receive more attention, including increased SAPS patrols and resources,” Du Plessis explained.
He further mentioned that several residents reported experiencing poor treatment when attempting to report crimes at Norkem Park SAPS, with some being turned away after waiting for hours.
In response, Warrant Officer Barbara Ferreira urged residents to formally report such incidents.
She assured attendees that she would provide the necessary information on where to lodge complaints about police conduct.
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Ferreira also clarified that complaints against SAPS officers are not handled internally by the station but are instead investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
CPF patrollers act as the eyes and ears of Norkem Park SAPS in the fight against crime.
They are required to complete a minimum of 16 hours of patrols per month. Additionally, Norkem Park SAPS conducts special operations, mainly over weekends, and CPF members are encouraged to participate.
“Beyond crime prevention, CPF also assists families in need where possible.
“For example, when a family’s home was destroyed by fire a few months ago, CPF collaborated with the community and other stakeholders to collect donations and support the family,” Du Plessis added.
Sector 1 is also working on implementing the Buzzer app, which aims to help residents get assistance more quickly in emergencies while simultaneously generating funds for security cameras in the area.
CPF urged community members to get involved in the fight against crime, even in small ways, such as reporting suspicious activity while going about their daily routines.
Residents who walk their dogs, go for a run, or cycle in the area can play a valuable role in identifying and reporting potential criminal activity.
