COMMUNITY Safety Awareness Month happens in May each year.

While law enforcement and security agencies are there to provide safety and security, there is also a need for community members to be responsible in creating safer environments within their homes and subsequently within the areas that they live in.

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One of the roles of the community policing forum is to promote accountability of the local police to the community, and cooperation of the community with the local police, hence community members need to know their local CPF and be involved in some way.

Speaking to Northglen News about the role of the Greenwood Park Community Policing Forum, chairperson Charles Naidoo said it was imperative for all individuals to familiarise themselves with the body in their area.

“The role of the CPF goes beyond safety. Yes, safety is our main priority, but there are other times we are needed such as during disasters,” he said.

He said the Greenwood Park CPF is broken into six subforums as the area is so large.

“It comprises the informal and formal areas, the homeless and the industrial area which is a big task for all stakeholders to monitor,” he said.

“Last year, a youth forum was added to the CPF in order to recruit youngsters. We saw this as an opportunity and an initiative for the youth to become involved. We also visit schools where we promote safety. This is done via the Greenwood Park Youth Desk,” he said.

He encouraged the residents to join the various WhatsApp groups to get to know more about the crime trends in the area and to get tips on how to stay vigilant.

“We’ve noticed a lot of petty crimes in the area – mainly due to people leaving items outside. Make sure your home is well lit outside, and if possible, install an alarm system, CCTV cameras, beams or similar. Also engage regularly with your neighbourhood watch, and be aware of your surroundings,” he added.

Naidoo also encouraged everyone to report drug dens, illegally operating taverns and scrapyards that buy stolen goods to the SAPS.

He said residents can look out for the CPF’s crime awareness day coming up in August which is a social event for the whole of Greenwood Park.

To join any of the subforums, contact Naidoo on 082 822 1654.

Durban North and uMhlanga

Haden Searles, chairperson for the Durban North and Umhlanga CPF, said it was extremely important for the community and SAPS to have a partnership to make engagement possible.

“A CPF is a legislated body. In the past, the police were cut off from the community, but our constitution was changed to include a body, such as a CPF, to hold police accountable to the public,” he said.

“The community plays a very vital role in fighting crime as leads and information generally come from the public. This is why it’s important for this relationship to exist.”

He said the CPF was broken into three sectors with seven subforums.

“Each area has its own unique issues, ranging from commercial crimes to out-of- motor-vehicle thefts, house break-ins, remote jamming and the like,” said Searles.

He stressed that residents should keep vigilant at all times.

“Don’t leave visible stuff in your car or outside your property. Test your car doors after you’ve locked them to see if you’ve been remote jammed, and always lock your doors even if you are just stepping out for a few minutes. Don’t be complacent,” he said.

He also said that it was a good idea to get to know your neighbours, their sounds, movements and the like, and to ask them if you’ve noticed something different.

“It’s important to look out for each other,” he added.

Another concern is that when there’s a construction taking place in an area, crime rises, so Searles urges residents to stay alert at all times.

For more information, visit https://dnucpf.co.za/

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