Light Up Akasia initiative to improve safety for residents and tackle crime
The absence of functional streetlights has fuelled criminal activity, also leading to a decline in residents’ confidence in their safety.
The Akasia Community Policing Forum (CPF), in partnership with the Akasia SAPS Region 1, has launched an initiative called Light Up Akasia.
The aim is to improve community safety by addressing the longstanding issue of non-operational streetlights, which have contributed to Akasia being listed among the top 10 areas for reported crime in the province.
According to the CPF, a growing concern in the Akasia area is the increasing crime, attributed to poor lighting in the region.
“The absence of functional streetlights has not only fuelled criminal activity, but led to a decline in residents’ confidence in their safety,” said Akasia CPF spokesperson Lerato Makwe.
Burglaries, theft, hijackings and violent crimes have been on the rise, with residents increasingly feeling unsafe in their own neighbourhoods.
Makwe said many residents have submitted complaints to the municipality about broken streetlights, but these often remain unresolved which further escalates the community’s frustration.
She said Light Up Akasia is a proactive response to this pressing issue.
The initiative’s core objective is to expedite the repair and maintenance of streetlights across the area in high-crime zones.
“It seeks to ensure that better-lit streets serve as a deterrent to criminals, thereby improving the overall safety of the community.
“We want to create an environment where residents feel secure walking at night and are confident that law enforcement and municipal services are working together to prioritise their safety,” said Makwe.
The initiative identifies several critical areas for immediate action:
– Repair and maintenance, which fast-tracks the resolution of non-operational streetlight complaints in high-crime zones.
– Municipal and police collaboration that brings together municipal officials, police and the CPF to jointly plan and execute the initiative.
– Encouragement of residents to report streetlight issues and participate in community patrols to monitor improvements.
According to Makwe, the initiative is not only about fixing infrastructure but also about building stronger ties between the community and local authorities.
“This is an opportunity to foster trust between residents, law enforcement and municipal services. Together, we can create safer streets and homes for everyone,” she said.
Makwe said residents are encouraged to report faulty streetlights and provide reference numbers to ensure that each case is addressed.
The CPF is also mobilising residents to participate in community patrols, which will help monitor progress and keep everyone accountable.
“We believe that when the community plays an active role in such initiatives, it not only enhances the sense of ownership but also ensures the success of our efforts,” concluded Makwe.
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