Crime awareness raises concerns
MIDRAND - Gauteng Department of Community Safety and Olievenhoutbosch police embarked on a crime awareness road show on 9 October.
The gathering sought to educate residents about safety issues and aimed to strengthen relations between police and the community. The campaign was conducted in Olievenhoutbosch Extensions 19 and 23.
A statement from the Department of Community Safety said crime is everybody’s responsibility and everyone needs to take charge to ensure that Gauteng is a safe place to live in. The department saw it appropriate to bring the campaign to those affected by crime.
Prevalent crimes in Olievenhoutbosch are assault, robbery and domestic violence, which is often the result of substance abuse, namely nyaope and alcohol.
However, during the interaction, residents complained about the ineffectiveness of police. They claimed that police officers have questionable relations with drug dealers, that police take a long time to
respond when called, and that they only respond to ‘mob justice’ incidents.
The community also criticised the Community Police Forum and patroller structures. They alleged that some members are registered as patrollers and have training certificates but their names do not appear in the system.
The issues raised by the community members were then referred to relevant business units within the department in order to find solutions and ultimately improve on the service delivery by the police in the locality and community safety structures.
