First Fairland CPF meeting

Speaking at the first Fairland Community Policing forum (CPF) meeting of 2014, chairperson Gulam Karim said community members should participate even when crime is quiet.

“We only get a reaction when there is a problem. If we are proactive we would reduce crime even faster,” Karim explained.

This with reference to the crime hotspot in Soutpans Avenue, where a shooting recently occurred.

According to Ward 89 councillor Ingrid Reinten, there has been a spike in house break-ins, house robberies and greenbelting between Fairland and Quellerina.

Another phenomenon that raised concerns was the sudden pollution caused by estate and illegal signage.

Reinten challenged the representatives of Metro police who attended the meeting to look into the signage matter, along with the beggars on Beyers Naudé Drive.

According to Reinten, eradicating beggars may be problematic as a result of the ineffective law enforcement.

“The Municipal Court system is not working so bylaws don’t go through the criminal process they are supposed to. It is totally dysfunctional,” she remarked.

With some of the criminal activity happening around the suburb, Karim was pleased to announce that there was minimal crime in the area surrounding the police station.

Linden police station commander Lieutenant Colonel Xaba was among the attendants and thanked the CPF for hosting their year-end function.