The Douglasdale Community Policing Forum (CPF) held its quarterly public meeting on September 3 at North Rand Methodist Church in North Riding.

Community members and different stakeholders, such as Douglasdale SAPS, Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), ward councillors, and local security companies, gathered to discuss and issue feedback on the issues within the precinct.

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The meeting also provided a valuable opportunity for residents to engage with key stakeholders, to share their safety concerns, ideas, and initiatives in the area. Douglasdale SAPS and JMPD gave feedback on the rate of crime and other by-law issues within the sectors.

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Ward councillors also raised the service delivery issues they’ve faced in their wards, from the traffic lights that are not functioning to reckless driving from motorists.

Mark van der Merwe, councillor for Ward 115, highlighted issues of cable theft, Illegal advertising, and vagrants and displaced persons in open areas. Councillor Ralph Bitkau raised more serious issues regarding illegal traffic controllers and JMPD not being visible within the ward, especially the North Riding area.

Residents were encouraged to report issues around their areas and were advised to stop giving displaced people, and illegal traffic controllers, money. Addressing the attendees, CPF chairperson Lizzy Mabena explained that the people who give money are part of the problem. “By tipping, you are encouraging them to come back and break these robots. It costs a lot for Johannesburg Roads Agency to repair traffic lights.”

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