Crime affects everyone and Belinda Ellor, Newcastle Community Policing Forum (CPF) Deputy Chairperson, is adamant that the only way to tackle it is together.

Belinda, who also serves on the Amajuba District CPF, believes that fighting crime requires teamwork, vigilance, and active community involvement.

“Everyone has a role to play in keeping our neighbourhoods safe,” she insists.

As head of the Missing Persons Task Force, Belinda works closely with the Newcastle SAPS, leading efforts to reunite families with their loved ones.

Their team has achieved an impressive 70% success rate in locating missing people.

Contrary to common belief, Belinda emphasises that there is no waiting period to report a missing person. “Time is critical — the sooner a report is made, the better the chances of finding someone safe,” she explains.

Belinda’s passion for fighting crime and making a difference in the community is what inspired her to get involved with the CPF. “When the opportunity came to join the CPF, I put everything into it. Being involved in the community from the beginning has helped forge a strong relationship with the community and the SAPS.”

What keeps her going through difficult times is witnessing the SAPS’s unwavering commitment to overcoming the challenges they encounter.

The most pressing safety and crime-related challenge Newcastle is currently facing is drugs, specifically crystal meth. “Drug abuse leads to crime, resulting in domestic violence, theft, and murder,” acknowledges Belinda.

Information sessions, or Imbizos, are ways in which the CPF works with the SAPS to address these pressing issues.

They invite the community to share and raise concerns; for everybody has many challenges in common.

Belinda urged the community to volunteer to assist the CPF in patrolling neighbourhoods because creating visibility is very important.

Without citing specific incidents, Belinda says she is proud of the CPF’s impact through initiatives such as regular patrols and active WhatsApp groups.

“When concerns are raised on our WhatsApp groups, the CPF responds immediately, relays the information to SAPS, and they attend to the matter,” she explained.

Given that many communities struggle with trust between the public and the SAPS, the CPF helps to build and strengthen just that by working directly with the SAPS. Belinda vouches for the SAPS’s efforts: “The public sees the outside, but I see the inside and the hard work they do.”

By ensuring that they represent the voices and concerns of all community members (including minority groups), the CPF holds monthly meetings at the Newcastle Police Station.

“This is where sector commanders and station commanders are present to witness the concerns raised,” Belinda said.

With her sparkling eyes and calm demeanour, it is understandable why Belinda would face these challenges in her role as deputy chair. “I am very dedicated to what I do. I try to resolve challenges in the correct manner.”

She emphasises the importance of teamwork in overcoming these challenges, as the CPF works closely with other crime-fighting partners, including the Department of Labour, Traffic Department, municipality, and private security companies.

These team efforts are very important in securing the CPF’s role in the future.

“With a strong team, dedication, and leadership, we can only grow,” Belinda said with a hopeful spirit.

“All stakeholders and community members are necessary when fighting crime, one way or the other, crime affects everybody.”

Belinda invites those wanting to join the CPF’s sub-forums to come forward and get involved in attending the Imbizo’s.

The message Belinda would like to leave the Newcastle residents is: “Always be observant of your surroundings! The community is the CPF’s eyes and ears.”

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