The Sandringham police gathered the River Park community on the morning of 24 March to host an awareness campaign about contact crime.
The event was hosted at the River Park Library with members of the police, Metro police and the local Community Policing Forum engaging with the residents.
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Spokesperson for the Sandringham Police Station, Captain Mohlaume Mamabolo, said that the River Park community has a high rate of contact crimes such assault, rape and armed robbery, among others, and the awareness campaign will push for greater community involvement while also giving them insight into various ways to avoid becoming a victim of contact crimes.
Chairperson of the Sandringham forum, Alfred Kubuyane, urged residents to strengthen their community through a proactive Community Policing Forum. Kubuyane said, “The community’s relationship with the police must be triggered by the community. This relationship can ensure a safer and stronger suburb.”
Kubuyane said that a CPF is the only legislated organisation that can talk to the police and the City about community safety, and it is the best way to deter crime.
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Detective commander from the Sandringham Police Station, Lieutenant Colonel Primrose Thomas said that a close relationship between the community and police will lead to a better arrest rate that will eradicate crime from the top. Thomas added that when looking for criminals such as drug dealers, they search for the ‘big fish’, but this can only happen with greater community engagement.
Details: 011 719 4844.
