Residents meet to address community safety

The Douglasdale Community Policing Forum (CPF) recently held its quarterly public meeting, providing a vital platform for residents within the Douglasdale policing precinct to engage with law enforcement and discuss pressing safety issues affecting their neighbourhood.

The meeting took place at the Indaba Conference Centre Auditorium, and community members, law enforcement representatives, private security, and local community leaders were in attendance.

The CPF chairperson, Lizzy Mabena, opened the meeting by expressing the importance of collaboration between community members and law enforcement. “This meeting is a valuable opportunity for our community members to engage with key stakeholders and share their safety concerns, initiatives, and ideas. As policing can’t be left to the police alone, it takes collaboration and effort between the members of the public and the police,” she said.

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“As we face increasing challenges in ensuring safety and security, it is critical to build stronger ties between the community and law enforcement, as safety is a shared responsibility.”

Station Commander Brigadier Veeshani Arikum of the Douglasdale police provided attendees with insights into current crime trends and activities within the policing precinct, sparking meaningful discussions about community safety.

The current trends discussed included commercial fraud, theft of gate motors, which has seen a significant increase specifically in Sector 1, online shopping, house and car break-ins, and smash and grabs.

Superintendent Mosepori Michael Matjokotja of JMPD Region A, addressed region-specific issues, enhancing the dialogue between residents and law enforcement.

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Community members were concerned about the failure of JMPD to enforce by-law contraventions throughout the precinct. Hotspot areas included the area outside of Builders Warehouse on Sunrise Boulevard, where public drinking, gambling, and fighting, making it a fertile ground for other serious crimes.

Hyperion Drive in North Riding was noted as an area of concern where job seekers gathered, making it a high-risk area. Women with young children at robots throughout the precinct were raised as a major concern.

Ward councillors were also in attendance including David Foley of Ward 94, Mark van der Merwe (Ward 115), Devon Steenkamp (Ward 134, and Ralf Bittkau (Ward 134). Interaction with the councillors allowed community members to articulate their concerns and suggestions directly to decision-makers, empowering residents to participate in community safety initiatives.

The meeting also had a special visit from the MMC of the Safety Portfolio Committee Michael Sun, who stressed the importance of ensuring that members of the public felt welcome when visiting police stations. He expressed concern about the number of road rage incidents in the area and said his department would visit all police stations in Gauteng to address public concerns.

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In closing Mabena said, “Public meetings like these are crucial. We believe that by working together, we can create a safer environment for everyone within our precinct. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to continue these important discussions with our community and continue to work at strengthening trust between the public and law enforcement. Collaborative efforts between the public and police not only deter crime but also strengthen the social fabric of our community.”

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