Letters: Police stations should be where the crime is

Our country inherited a set up that was designed to undermine, not to prioritise lives of black communities when it comes to community safety and security.
Looking at how police stations were positioned in our country, why they are in towns when most of the crimes are taking place in poor, black communities? In towns, we have police competing with private security companies for the protection of people there, while poor black communities have to travel kilometres to open cases and get simple documents like affidavits.
For 20-something years, commissioner after commissioner does not see that there is something wrong with this set up, or don’t black lives matter? For poor communities, police rely on CPFs that people are becoming too fed up to even join, tired of putting their lives on the line for nothing.
People are urged to join police forums, safety teams and to volunteer their services for free in societies ravaged by massive unemployment, ending up becoming victims to drug lords that sometimes connive with dodgy police officials.
Why not open satellite police stations in crime-stricken communities, train local youths in crime fighting and community safety? Pay them, even to certify documents and simple affidavits. We hear loud cries that there is no money for volunteers but come December there will be money for entertainment left, right and centre.
Police are supposed to be on the streets chasing criminals but they are in offices stamping copies and writing affidavits.
Poor communities can’t afford the luxury of alarms and private security. They rely on police officers for protection.
NTOKOZO MCINEKA KA MAKAMU
Groutville

Letter shortened – Editor