The Port Shepstone Executive Community Policing Forum (CPF) is on a drive to educate the public on the role of CPFs in communities.

What is a CPF?
It is the eyes and ears of the police. The different stakeholders rely on the CPF and the community to help them in reporting crime.

Who should report crime?
Anyone who has been a victim of crime. If you see a crime being committed, immediately contact your police station, security company and or your CPF.

How is crime reported?
There are two ways of reporting crime – incident or case reports.

Why is reporting crime important?
It helps the police and the security companies to identify crime hotspots. It also helps the police in distributing resources such as personnel and vehicles in such areas. If a crime is not reported, the Saps will not be aware of what is happening in your area.
This means that patrols and security operations will not be allocated to your area. The more you report the greater the police appearance.

Security companies
There are several security companies active in your area. Each one is able to help you should you be a paid up member of the company. The security companies together with Saps and the CPF helps combat crime in your area. Security companies also work timeously in your area, to help you when you report a crime.

CPF
Members of the CPF are from the community and work on a voluntary basis to patrol your suburb. Hotspots are targeted for patrolling, should a call come in, members are dispatched to the area of concern. The situation is then handled accordingly. CPF members are not allowed to apprehend suspects. There are rules that each patroller needs to adhere to and these are noted at every meeting.

A meeting for the community is held once a month in each suburb. Should you wish to attend any of these meetings, contact the chairperson of the CPF in your area. You can also attend meetings in other areas of interest.

WhatsApp groups
A WhatsApp group has been created for each area which is open to the public restricted to the area concerned. Emergencies and all crime-related offences are posted on the group by the public. Security companies, CPF members and some important stakeholders are also included in this group. Should you wish to be added to the group in your area, contact members of the CPF or the admin of the group.

Questions
Forward CPF-related questions to pscpfexecutive@gmail.com

FATHIMA MOOSA
Port Shepstone Executive CPF secretary

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram