How to identify WCPF members
The committee of the Westenburg community policing forum (WCPF) warned residents to be on the alert as there were criminals who robbed people and, when caught, claimed to be members of the WCPF patrol team.
POLOKWANE – The committee of the Westenburg community policing forum (WCPF) warned residents to be on the alert as there were criminals who robbed people and, when caught, claimed to be members of the WCPF patrol team.
This after an unknown man attacked and robbed a woman of her cell phone over the weekend.
The woman said the man took her cell phone and ran away. When he was stopped by someone in the street, the man said he was part of the WCPF and was busy patrolling the area.
After further investigation, it was found that the person was not part of WCPF and no members were patrolling in that area at the time of the incident.
The WCPF committee asked that residents took note of the following:
• We have 20 men who patrol during the week and on weekends we have 10 women who join the patrols.
• Our members never patrol alone, we are divided into groups of four or five members per team for safety reasons.
• One member in each group wears an orange reflector jacket, for visibility and also identification. The WCPF does not have enough funds available to buy jackets for every member and that is why we only have one jacket per group. Sponsorships are welcome.
• We are in the process of making identification cards for members. The member will wear the identification card when patrolling so that the community can identify them. On the identification card, the member’s name, and picture will be clearly visible.
This will also help the committee to identify members when the community has complaints about a member or patrol team.
The WCPF committee invited residents to attend their meetings in Ben Harris Street next to the bakery at 18:00 every Tuesday evening.
Deputy chairperson of WCPF, Betty Lawrance, said this would help the community to identify who the WCPF members were.
“Attendance of the weekly meetings is important because there is an update on crime prevention, successes, safety tips and future plans on crime prevention every week.
“There is also a platform for complaints and suggestions on improvement on crime prevention in the community.
“Residents are also welcome to join the group, more members are needed, especially for patrols. It is also important for the community to identify those that patrol for their own safety and security,” she said.
