There is strength in numbers, as they say, and offering even two to three hours of a day can make a difference for the Brixton Community Policing Forum (CPF).

Only four members are involved in regular night patrols for the Brixton CPF Sector 2, making it difficult to maintain a visible presence across the area. Brixton CPF Sector 2 member Dennis Petersen said that the area covered by the patrols stretches across about 3km, and the limited numbers mean volunteers cannot be everywhere at the same time. He said visible policing is important because criminals can take advantage of gaps in patrol coverage.

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He said the CPF had previously taken its recruitment appeal to residents and students through WhatsApp groups, Facebook and direct engagement with students living in communal accommodation. The sector has also established an emergency group and visited larger communes to distribute safety pamphlets and encourage residents to become involved.

The appeal is not limited to people who can patrol every night. Petersen said residents can volunteer for two or three hours during the week, or spend time walking around their own blocks to create a visible presence. He said residents do not necessarily need to patrol across the entire sector to make a difference.

The approach is aimed at building a stronger culture of active citizenship, particularly in a community where neighbours may live close to one another without knowing each other. Petersen said students are an important part of the CPF’s recruitment efforts, particularly because crime also occurs during the day. He warned students against walking alone while distracted by their phones or wearing earphones, saying these habits can make them more vulnerable to criminals.

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Brixton SAPS Constable Thabang Mphahlele also encouraged residents to participate, stressing that becoming a patroller does not mean confronting criminals. He said patrollers are not expected to put themselves in danger or chase suspects. Instead, he described their role as being the community’s additional eyes and ears, adding that where residents encounter criminal activity, their role is to report it rather than intervene.

The CPF hopes that expanding its volunteer base will allow patrols to cover more streets, improve visibility and strengthen communication between residents, police and community safety structures. With only a few regular volunteers currently carrying the patrol burden, the call is for more residents to move from being observers of crime to active participants in keeping their neighbourhoods safe.

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