Safe and secure communities are achieved through the pro-active involvement of the public working with law enforcement and emergency services.
This is according to community safety MMC Karen Meyer who urged residents to join the on-going fight against crime, lawlessness and corruption in the city by making use of the various platforms to report incidents.
“Residents are reminded that they can contact the metro police on the 24 hour emergency number (012-358-7095/6).”
She said the recently launched Emergency Hotline for life-threatening emergencies, fire, ambulance, rescue and disasters also makes it easier for residents to contact Tshwane emergency services.
Residents can now also dial 107 (One Zero Seven) toll-free and connect directly to the City’s control centre, in addition to the ten-digit 012-310- 6300/5400 numbers.
She further urged residents to report any corruption or bribery involving Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) members and Tshwane officials on Corruption Hotline 080-874-9263 or Internal Affairs 082-891-8625.
Furthermore, she reminded residents that “when they are stopped by the TMPD to obtain the officers’ name and surname on the shield or badge, and to take note of the Registration number of the TMPD motor vehicle concerned and/or the fleet number, example MP621.”
She said this would assist in investigations when a complaint is lodged.
Importance of Community Policing Forums (CPF)
Speaking on the importance of CPF, Meyer said the National Development Plan envisions communities where the people feel safe and have no fear of crime, whether at home, school, work or in their communities.
“This can only be achieved by communities working with well-resourced and professional policing services through formal structures like the Community Policing Forums (CPFs).”
She said the CPF plays an important role in informing the TMPD mandate and operations but also to ensure the TMPD maximised the efficiency of the available resources.
“This CPF is a critical platform where community members, community business and non-profit organisations, businesses, faith-based organisations and other relevant government stakeholders meet with the SAPS and TMPD to discuss local crime prevention initiatives,” said Meyer
Meyer said the role and functions of the CPF is not a “nice-to-have, it is a constitutional imperative that we cannot shy away from”.
“It is critical that the real needs and experiences of communities are channelled into the plans and operations of the TMPD.”
She said the CPF plays an important role in that through:
– Monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of the police;
– Examining and advising on local policing priorities;
– Evaluating the provision of services such as the distribution of resources and the way complaints and charges are handled;
– Patrolling of residential and business areas;
– Keeping records, writing reports and making recommendations to the police; and, importantly,
– Asking questions about local policing matters and request enquiries when necessary.
Meyer said the metro was in the process of reviewing the functioning of the Community Safety Forum to ensure it works effectively as a platform to deal with issues raised by the CPF clusters through their regional forums.
She also urged communities to be involved in their local CPF, and thanked the many men and women who already actively participate and contribute to a safer Tshwane.
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