As time goes by, the security situation in our town and country deteriorates as do social values. For many years the South African Police Service (SAPS) has openly requested the participation of the citizens to help combat crime.

The SAPS cannot be everywhere, all the time and despite the challenges they face, politically, badly trained, unmotivated and lazy members, there is still a core of caring, professional policemen and women that are serving us.

Having tried to keep a Community Police Forum (CPF) active in Brewitt Park for the last 10 years has been unnerving, to put it mildly.
Out of about 120 houses (now more), only an average of five people attend the monthly meetings.

Every once a while, a whole bunch pitches up to moan about something, which has affected them and demand that ‘something be done’ then they disappear until they are woken up by some problem, which they need somebody else to solve.

They never have a solution to their problems, in fact they cannot even think far ahead enough to realise they could actually get involved and help to look after themselves, their property and their neighbours.

Many of these residents have left other areas for various social reasons, only to be faced with the same problems.

Seems they do not get involved in the CPF because they are the ones who blatantly break the by-laws:

1. Traffic violations, speeding vehicles and motorbikes. Lorries driving and parked in residential areas. Pedestrians walking abreast in the roadway, with no regard for their own safety, trying to force vehicles to cross barrier lines to avoid them. Traffic officers stand (sorry, sit) with their arms folded observing the chaos.

ALSO READ: Please, pedestrians know your place

2. Children using the streets as parks and playgrounds or on motorbikes and quads without helmets or supervision, illegal anyway.

3. Obviously unlicensed drivers creeping around, mostly on the wrong side of the road, oblivious to fellow road users or traffic laws.

4. Drunk or drugged drivers and using public places to drink and litter, make noise and relieve themselves in full view of anyone.

5. Littering and dumping of kitchen, garden and building refuse anywhere, except where it should be.

6. Stray dogs and hunting dogs.

7. Use of illegal fireworks.

8. Excessive loud music (noise) from homes and vehicles and the thumping bass noise.

The list of anti-social behaviour is endless.
You are the people who moan to the SAPS and the municipality; I have yet to see a municipal vehicle going around dumping refuse, drag racing in the streets or having illegal drinking sessions in public places.

Why do you bother to drive (or hire a vehicle) to dump your rubbish in a donga or in the veldt when you could just take it to where it should be? The SAPS spends most of their time policing petty crimes, which should never happen if the citizens have any sort of discipline and civilised manners.

ALSO READ: Reckless behaviour ruining Princess Park

They should be allowed to deal with crime, not anti-social behaviour. How can you expect help from others when you cannot even help yourselves and cannot control yourself or your relatives, friends or visitors?

And, in case, some of you expect to get some sort of financial compensation by being involved in the CPF – wrong – this will now discount a lot of you.

What will you gain from your involvement in the official backing of the SAPS in time of need, along with the security in knowing your neighbours and fellow residents are looking out for each other?

The satisfaction that you could receive is to turn your back and not have to worry about your property because ‘someone’ would always be watching out for you, while you do the same for them.

Improve your security situation with the official backing of the SAPS and other members of your structure.

Brewitt Park hosts a CPF meeting with a SAPS representative in the park every first Wednesday of the month – in summer at 5.30pm and in winter at 5pm. Exceptions if a public holiday or inclement weather.

Note that these meetings are not politically or racially motivated. Get involved and let us be in control of where we live and get rid of the petty law breakers, thieves and criminals who jeopardise your safety and break the law.

Brewitt Park Resident

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