Community participation needed in fight against crime
“For community policing to be successful, it is important for members of the community to realise and accept that they also have a social and moral obligation to assist and support the SAPS."
Police this week said that community participation was not only necessary in the fight against crime, but also in assisting them fulfil their mandate for a safe and secure country.
“With the support and involvement of the community, the police will be in a better position to meet the safety and security needs of the country,” police said in a statement promoting partnership policing during Women’s Month.
The police explained while CPFs existed, for them to be a successful community involvement was necessary.
“For community policing to be successful, it is important for members of the community to realise and accept that they also have a social and moral obligation to assist and support the police in the fight against crime and other forms of social disorder.”
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It further stated that community organisations and development workers had to cooperate with CPFs to mobilise community support in the ongoing fight against crime.
“CPFs were set up to involve all local stakeholders and key organisation in local policing.
“They meet regularly with the officers in charge of the local police station and discuss problems and solutions to crime in the area,” the statement continued.
According to the statement, the adoption of community policing had not only turned around the situation of crime but also changed the way they addressed it.
The ways in which CPFs could mobilise community for the fight against crime included:
– Identifying crime hotspots and informing police about problems.
– Reporting information on wanted suspects and illegal firearms.
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– Visiting schools with the police to speak to learners and teachers.
– Conducting education and awareness campaigns about the community’s role in fighting crime.
– Mobilising ordinary members of the public to become active members of the CPF.
– Supporting the police in crime prevention initiatives.
– Monitoring the police’s service delivery.
– Providing police with possible solutions and/or alternatives to strengthen partnerships and strengthen service delivery.
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