Charl van den Berg has served as the Kempton Park CPF Sector 2 patrol captain for the past four years, driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in his community.

“I wanted to make a positive difference in my community and help create a safer environment for everyone,” said Van den Berg.

“Seeing the challenges our area faced motivated me to get involved rather than simply complain about them.”

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His commitment has remained strong over the years, with the knowledge that even small actions can help prevent crime, assist those in need and strengthen community ties keeping him motivated.

A typical patrol shift begins with a team briefing, during which members discuss recent incidents and identify areas of concern. The team then patrols designated areas, monitors for suspicious activity, engages with residents and reports matters requiring police attention.

For Van den Berg, the most rewarding aspect of volunteering is helping people feel safer while building trust and strong relationships within the community.

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The role is not without its challenges. Patrollers often encounter unpredictable situations and must constantly consider their own safety while assisting others.

As volunteers, they also balance CPF responsibilities with work and family commitments, often while working with limited resources.

One experience that has remained with him involved assisting a family during an emergency and ensuring they received help as quickly as possible.

“Seeing the relief on their faces reminded me why this work is so important,” he said.

Serving as a patroller has also changed his perspective on the community. It has given him a greater understanding of the challenges many residents face and reinforced the importance of community involvement in improving safety and quality of life.

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According to Van den Berg, effective CPF members should display integrity, commitment, patience, good communication skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure while working as part of a team.

Balancing work, family life and CPF duties requires careful planning. He credits open communication with his family and good time management for helping him meet his commitments.

“I am grateful for the support they give me. They understand why serving the community is important, even when it means spending time away from home,” he said.

Van den Berg believes the CPF plays a vital role in strengthening the relationship between the community and the police. Through cooperation, information sharing and crime prevention initiatives, the forum helps create safer neighbourhoods.

He wants residents to remember that CPF patrollers are volunteers who freely give their time because they care about their communities.

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“We do this because we care about the safety and well-being of our neighbourhoods,” he said.

He encourages residents to support the CPF by reporting suspicious activity, attending community meetings, participating in safety initiatives and maintaining regular contact with their local CPF.

His advice to anyone considering joining is simple: “Join with a genuine desire to serve. Be prepared to learn, work as part of a team and contribute positively to your community.”

Looking ahead, Van den Berg hopes to see a safer, more united community where residents work together to protect and support one another.

“Together, we can build an environment where everyone feels secure and valued.”