Florida CPF holds monthly stakeholder meeting

The Florida Community Police Forum held its monthly stakeholder meeting at the Rainbow FM offices on February 26.

Stakeholders present included representatives from Discovery Community Forum, Florida Hills Residents Forum, the Berg Neighbourhood Watch and Sector 1 of the Florida CPF, Florida South Residents Association, the Department of Social Development and the Florida Police Station.

Discussion points ranged from crime trends within the different areas in Florida, to concerns about proposed legislation that will severely impact owners and operators of CCTV cameras. A proposal by Florida Hills’ chairperson Stanton Nel, that an objection to the highly controversial proposed legislation be drafted and distributed for signatures on the various community groups as well as via CPF communication channels, was approved and accepted.

Florida South’s chairperson Rodney Churchyard expressed concern about escalating incidences of public drinking throughout Florida and requested that more resources be directed toward enforcing public drinking regulations.

This was echoed by Discovery’s chair Justin Bezuidenhout.

The Berg and Sector 1’s chair, Hennie Arlow, expressed concern about the growing occurrence of vagrants throughout neighbourhoods and youths that gather in open areas to drink.

Underage beggars and mothers with babies begging at traffic lights and busy intersections were also named as a growing concern.

Karabo Manaka manager of the Dan Street Men’s Shelter in Florida advised the gathered representatives on what to do when they encounter children begging on the streets and also explained the workings of the shelter, the challenges they face in helping those who find themselves homeless, and the correlation between homelessness and drugs in Florida.

Also read: Men’s shelter helps homeless back to their feet

He expressed concern regarding a new oil-based form of crystal meth that is causing havoc on the streets because of its permanent impact on the mental health of users.

Florida CPF chairperson Farhaad Sardiwalla used the opportunity to announce a revival of the election process for a new CPF executive. Sardiwalla explained the process to be followed and took time to answer questions from the floor.

Also read: Florida CPF elections back on track

The monthly crime report was delivered by Florida police sector manager Sergeant Bongani Mofokeng, who echoed the concerns of public drinking. He added that the area has seen an increase in residential and business burglaries, as well as an alarming number of hijackings.