Partnering the community against crime
NORWOOD - Committed to serving the community, the Norwood Community Police Forum (CPF) seeks to create productive partnerships to combat crime.
The Norwood Police Station serves a large area of Johannesburg and calls on the help of residents to combat crime at home.
The City of Johannesburg, police and local communities have partnered together through the community police forum programme, which seeks to create open communication, accountability and co-operation between residents and law enforcement. In the interests of safety and security, Norwood CPF seeks to encourage community participation, and ensure residents are informed about the CPF’s role and their own place in the fight against crime.
The activity of community police forums is authorised by the South African Constitution and the South African Police Service Act, which aims to create accountability between the community and the police officers who serve it. While the community can demand accountability from the police – improving service and efficiency, cracking down on corruption and incompetence – police may in turn demand community involvement against crime.
The CPF constitution lists four primary objectives. Public participation and private partnership, effective communication and co-operation, joint problem identification, and consultation between local police and community police forums are essential to effective crime reduction in Johannesburg’s suburbs.
Norwood CPF chairperson Duncan Barker appeals to residents of Norwood precinct to report criminal activity safely and anonymously through the CPF, and to become involved in the forum’s efforts to stand against crime.
“It is not our position to tell the police how to do their jobs… We are here to assist. We know where there are issues in our community and can direct the police to where these exist. We are also businesses and as such we have the resources to assist our police,” stressed Barker.
The Norwood precinct, served by the Norwood Police Station, comprises four sectors.
Sector 1 (Houghton) includes Houghton Estate, Melrose, Melrose North and Estate, Melrose Bird Sanctuary, James and Ethel Gray Park, Houghton Golf Club, Birdhaven and Birnam.
Sector 2 (Waverley) includes Waverley, Highlands North and Extension, Hawkins Estate, Abbotford and Rouxville.
Sector 3 (Norwood) includes Norwood, Oaklands, Cheltondale, Orchards, The Gardens and Maryvale.
Sector 4 (Orange Grove) includes Orange Grove, Linksfield, Linksfield Ridge, Royal Johannesburg Golf Club, Huddle Park Golf Club, Mountain View, Sydenham, Fairwood, Victoria and Fellside.
Details: Duncan Barker 078 014 2387; Twitter: @NorwoodCPF; www.ncpf.co.za
