Local community policing forums weigh in on SAPS’ festive season operations
Parkview CPF welcomes SAPS festive season operations.
Gauteng police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela confirmed on October 15 in the Western Cape that all hands are on deck for the National Festive Season Operation plan.
Mawela said the festive season is a period where SAPS members know they will have their hands full with daring criminals trying to line their pockets.
Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela added that there have been vehicles that have been purchased, “With these vehicles we expect community policing forum members to enhance their community mobilisation efforts against crime and to be able to attend to the needs of their respective communities.”
This year’s National Festive Season Operation plan theme is ‘combating crime through decisive policing and robust community involvement.’
Parkview’s community policing forum chairperson, Geraldine Connell welcomed the festive season crime-fighting operation.
“Indeed, many additional 9-seater vehicles have been purchased by SAPS and donated to certain CPF structures. It is these vehicles that the Parkview CPF may call upon, should we need to transport patrollers or attend an operation.”
Additional measures the Parkview CPF will be implementing this year include:
- Advanced training of patrollers. (This will take place on Saturday, November 18 from 08:00- 12:00.
- Recruiting more patrollers
- Arranging additional patrols over the festive season
- Raising awareness of criminals and how they operate amongst the residents and shoppers in our precinct. (This will be done by meeting with owners of large stores to request increased security measures, arranging meet-and-greet sessions with shoppers and putting out messages via social media.)
The national commissioner of the police General Masemola has outlined the following areas for 2023/24 festive operations:
- Prevention of gender-based violence and femicide which includes the protection of vulnerable groups.
- Combating aggravating robberies or trio crimes (carjacking, robberies at residential areas)
- Enforcing legislation in respect of firearms, liquor, and second-hand goods including enhancing safety at sports and recreational events.
- Enforcing of by-laws – will be intentionally targeting hijacked buildings and the unlawful sale of firecrackers.
- Law enforcement to combat drunken driving, speeding, and removing unroadworthy vehicles and dealing decisively with cloned vehicles.
Mawela noted that in response to the above, Gauteng’s provincial joint operational intelligence structure decided to heighten the efforts over and above the daily and weekly operation “Shanela.”
Minister of South African Police General Bheki Cele made a call to SAPS members, “Criminals have declared war against the people of South Africa. As the police you are the buffer between citizens and criminals. If criminals fight you and push back, it means they will push communities too. Therefore, I am making the call for you [SAPS] to fight back when the criminals fight.”
Norwood CPF’s chairman, Wayne Preston said 2023 has been a challenge when reviewing statistics, “We can certainly expect an escalation in crime. The CPF is constantly trying to build its membership and our community in blue members are growing and we will be able to mobilise more community members over the festive season.”
The following are ways the Norwood CPF will be combating crime:
- The CPF is building stronger relationships with local security companies. Together, the information gathered is analysed and proactive measures are put in place to combat crime.
- Locating vulnerable community members are amongst our priorities, as these community members are at a higher risk of being the victims of criminal acts. Our members are recording data and trying to connect with these people at least once a week.
- Our youth is another important area that the CPF is busy working on. Youngsters, if not guided and kept busy will naturally seek adventure in different areas. Many times, kids end up on the wrong side of the law simply because they are curious to experience it, not thinking it through. Our members visit parks and public spaces frequently, engage, and find ways to entertain the youth. This way we try and keep them off the streets and give them alternatives to experience.
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