Vryheid Community Policing Forum – Someone to watch over you

THE COMMUNITY Policing Forum of Vryheid had its first meeting on February 5, 2013.
The meeting was attended by only 18 people and nothing much materialised after that until roughly a year later, when thefts and burglaries started to become regular occurrences in the Afrikaner Street area.
This urged Andre Rheder, a well known community member to start looking at getting the CPF going again. He approached Johan Fourie and they discussed how to go about doing so. Mr Rheder asked several CPF’s around the country how they operated and then approached the SAP in Vryheid for assistance in joining up the proposed CPF for Vryheid town with the greater CPF around Vryheid .
At this time, Chris Marais and some of his friends were also discussing ideas about doing something about the crime in Vryheid. They approached Mr Rheder, eventually joining forces with him to get the proposed CPF off the ground, setting up methods of communication and a system of working, amongst other things.
Mr Rheder approached the SAP again and met up with Lt Col Westermeyer and Lt Col Zwane and discussed the role of the CPF in Vryheid. They decided that Vryheid CPF would cover Vryheid central, ie. the town itself . The other areas are covered by the outlying CPFs .
Whatsapp was used as a means of communication at first, but was found to be too slow for adequate response to emergencies and incidents. So a radio system was set up as well to complement the communication.
Community members were invited to join up as members on Facebook and by direct approach.
At this stage the Vryheid Community Policing Forum is comprised of 44 patrollers who volunteer their services. They purchase their own equipment and pay their own way.
Mr Leon Le Roux donated a building to the CPF for use as an office in Stretch Crescent, which is in the process of being set up.
“We were quite blessed, as a lot of people contributed to help us with fuel and some of the funds have been used or will be used for the office,” says Mr Rheder.
He also added, “To join us does not cost a cent, a lot of people have indicated that they will make contributions for fuel.”
On April 23 the Vryheid Community Policing Forum was officially launched, with 46 people attending as well as members from the SAP, the Greater CPF Chairman and a CPF Chairman from Paulpietersburg.
Since then, a lot has happened and the positive effect of the CPF is quite clear.
On May 15, Vryheid CPF met with the greater CPF structure.
Collectively, at the time of the report, they had travelled approximately 4685km for patrolling, which works out to about R9685.00 spent on petrol and diesel.
The results they have achieved in bringing down the crime in Vryheid so far amounts to five stolen vehicles being recovered. They have worked in conjunction with Pro 5 to stop approximately eight cases of attempted burglary and CPF members have assisted and made arrests in several cases.
CPF members assisted at an accident scene which claimed the life of a member of the SAPS and have also assisted various residents with complaints where perpetrators were in their yards. The CPF have also assisted in preventing a lady being raped.
They assisted at the Mayfair preventing thieves who were stealing spares from vehicles and arrested a person for malicious damage to property in Edward street.
“I wonder if Vryheid’s residents are aware of the fact that several young kids are involved in the selling and buying of drugs in this town,” says Mr Rheder.
On Saturday, May 17, members of the CPF spent the day selling wors rolls to raise the much needed funds for petrol and other necessary equipment.
The CPF needs the support of the public in keeping the crime rate down and would like to say thanks to the following people for their support thus far: Annalize Vorster from Palm Grove Guest House; DIY Depot; Jan Combrink; Scwhartz Mining; Lady Jane DIY; Goal Armature Winding; Lynette and Werner from Sign Centre; Grietjie and Anton from Sign It; Bundu Outdoor; Karel from Vryheid Brake and Clutch; Battery Centre; Leon’s Motors; JJM Energy; Afrimat; GGM Packaging; West End; Spur; Natalia; Keith Sparrow from Sparrow Computers; Jacques at Ferrobrake; Dina Weittes; Hester Fritze of Francocel; Frik Croucamp; Erina van der Westhuizen; Mega Steak; Eddies Butchery; C&A Electronics; Pro 5 Security; Link Up Security; Yolandi Strydom; Nashua; Provincial Panelbeaters; Kia Vryheid; Kwazulu Gas; Cornè and all the other wonderful people who have shown their support.
So, when next you see a vehicle with a flashing green light patrolling the streets of Vryheid between 9:00pm and 3:00am, rest assured, Vryheid Community Policing Forum is looking out for you.