North residents hold crime summit
"The main message is that we must all become involved."
Akasia residents joined hands over the weekend in a bid to beat criminals during an anti-crime summit.
Organiser and CPF Akasia-SAPS forum chairman Tienie Vorster said the “mini anti-crime summit” brought together all interested parties to discuss a crime-fighting strategy for the area.
Consultant Institute for Security Strategies’ Dr Johan Burger said the reasons for the high crime included socioeconomic factors such as drugs, hunger and unemployment.
“Crime follows when community-related problems are not addressed,” he said.
“Poverty and unemployment play a big role, as well corruption in state entities, poor training, weakness in licensing systems and under-staffing of law enforcement in the area.”
Tshwane North cluster commander Major-General Hilda Mohajane gave an overview of crime in the area.
She said some of the solutions to the crime included people familiarising themselves with their neighbours and neighbourhoods, reporting suspicious activities and arranging local safe houses for learners who arrived home before their parents.
“The main message is that we all must get involved,” said Vorster.
“Join your street watch organisations; respect each other’s cultures and learn from each other; avoid xenophobia; get to know your law enforcement officers out of work association as family members of our communities; and arrange information days and crime awareness days.”
Vorster thanked Akasia SAPS, Tshwane metro police, CPF Akasia SAPS Forum, Wonderpark Shopping Centre, the Belgium Campus and the Tshwane metro for making the summit possible.
ALSO READ:
https://rekordnorth.co.za/127448/north-community-rallies-against-crime/
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
