Pretoria east security forum keeps its residents safe

Lakes Security Forum is tightening its grip on security in the east of Pretoria ward 101.

The forum recently recovered a stolen vehicle following a coordinated takedown.

Ward councillor Malcolm de Klerk and a team of company guards found a large amount of cash in the car after stopping it in a coordinated takedown.

The two suspects were apprehended and handed over to Boschkop police.

Chairperson of the Lakes Security Forum Jean Jonker said it is with partnerships that they can keep the area safe.

Partnerships between estates, businesses, shopping centres, houses of worship, schools, private security firms, Boschkop CPF, police, the metro and ward councillors have been formed.

“We have regular crime prevention operations, visibility operations and even host city clean-up initiatives,” Jonker added.

He told Rekord that they have rolled out a licence plate recognition (LPR) network and have successfully, with the help of police, made numerous arrests.

He said the crime rate has declined by 50% since 2018.

“Residents assist in keeping the area safe by informing the community policing forum (CPF) of any issues including reporting suspicious behaviour.

“We are a registered non-profit company (NPC) and thus can only roll out initiatives with the support of our community.”

Challenges faced by the Lakes Forum in its mission to improve safety are that it is dependent on the police and, as experienced at all stations, has a shortage of resources.

The forum had to cancel crime prevention operations, as there are not enough vehicles at local police stations.

De Klerk said the Security Lakes Forum has been one of the brightest sparks for change in the area and if not the city.

“The crime stats speak for themselves in the effectiveness of Lakes. I attend their monthly meetings, provide city-related feedback and go on operations and patrols.”

He told Rekord that his top priorities are to help raise money for CPFs, go on operations and use the mechanics of politics to issue-drive.

The use of smart technology like LPR cameras at all entrances to the ward is one of the strategies.

De Klerk said they plan to increase public participation in all the projects and organisations in the ward and be actively involved in the community watch.

Lakes Security Forum plans to grow its LPR network to a fully functional grid to cover all entrances into and exits out of the area.

– To roll out an off-the-grid communication network that will cover most of Pretoria east.

– Street-level surveillance, the introduction of AI for surveillance and hopefully one-day drones for response to incidents.

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