The Lyttelton Sector 3 Community Police Sub-Forum (LS3CPSF) has opened a new community boardroom and training facility aimed at strengthening safety operations, volunteer training and co-operation among stakeholders in the Lyttelton area.

The facility was established following the donation of a park home structure by Chris Gunning from Container Conversions after the forum identified the need for a dedicated operational and training space for patrollers and volunteers.

Additional donors later assisted with the installation of electricity, Wi-Fi and presentation equipment, including a smart TV to support training and operational co-ordination.

Speaking on behalf of the forum, Lyndré Warricker, said the new facility represented an important milestone for the community structure and its ongoing work in the area.

Warricker said the boardroom would improve the forum’s ability to co-ordinate safety initiatives, train volunteers, and strengthen engagement with residents, businesses, and law enforcement agencies.

“The facility is more than a new boardroom. It stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when a community works together with purpose, compassion and commitment,” Warricker said.

The completed boardroom can accommodate up to 12 people and will primarily serve as a training venue for patrollers and volunteers, a meeting space for executive and operational meetings, and a co-ordination point for safety initiatives and stakeholder engagement.

The executive committee has also decided to make the facility available to community members for small meetings, workshops and training sessions at an hourly rate when not in operational use. Funds generated from the bookings will be used to maintain the facility, improve training resources and support the forum’s community safety programmes.

Warricker said the initiative reflected the forum’s belief that sustainable community safety depended on partnership and shared responsibility among residents, private security companies, businesses, municipal services and the SAPS.

The forum’s priorities for 2026 include providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable residents, addressing public drinking and disorderly behaviour at identified hotspots. It also wants to improve safety and environmental conditions near the R21 bridge on Van Ryneveld Avenue in partnership with municipal and law enforcement authorities.

The organisation also plans to further strengthen co-operation between residents, security companies, businesses and emergency services operating in the area.

LS3CPSF operates around the clock throughout the year and maintains a continuously staffed Joint Operations Centre at the TotalEnergies service station on Van Ryneveld Avenue to co-ordinate emergency responses and operational support.

Warricker noted that all CPF management, executive committee members and patrollers serve on a voluntary basis and receive no financial compensation for their work.

“The continued success of the forum depends heavily on the support of residents, businesses, donors and volunteers who continue to invest in safer and more connected communities,” she said.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel