Honeydew CPF engages community to tackle local crime

Keeping Honeydew neighbourhoods safe is a community effort, and the Honeydew Community Policing Forum (CPF) is bringing residents, police, and security partners together to make it happen.

In December, Sector 3 of the Honeydew CPF hosted a lively community policing meeting at Strubenvalley United Church. Residents, ward councillors, SAPS members, and private security companies joined forces to discuss crime trends and explore practical ways to tackle ongoing challenges in the area.

Warrant Officer Makhura presented a preliminary report highlighting the most frequently reported crimes, giving attendees a clear picture of local hotspots and patterns. The session encouraged active discussion, with residents and security stakeholders sharing concerns, reporting incidents, and proposing solutions.

“These meetings give residents first-hand insight into what’s happening in their suburbs,” said Michael Steyn, Honeydew CPF’s public relations officer.

“They’re about more than updates – they build trust, encourage collaboration, and create a platform for problem-solving.”

Steyn added that Honeydew CPF holds monthly meetings across all four sectors, supporting a multi-layered approach to community safety. This includes visible policing, intelligence-driven operations, partnerships with private security, and the use of surveillance technology to monitor high-risk areas.

Residents are also speaking up about other concerns affecting safety and quality of life. Wendy McKillop noted that job seekers and vagrants sometimes contribute to security and hygiene issues, but praised the cluster for responding to emergencies and fulfilling their role in the community.

The next Honeydew CPF meeting is scheduled for January 20, offering another opportunity for residents to engage directly with police and security partners in making their neighbourhoods safer.