COP launches three-pronged approach to crime fight
THE Bluff’s Community Orientated Policing (COP) is spreading its net wider in an effort to reduce crime with the introduction of a bike unit and the upcoming launch of the Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU).
According to COP’s manager, Rake Jeeves, the bike unit is one of the best things they have done in their mission to help the police reduce crime. “The great thing is we can get into all the parks and bush areas as well. They can patrol all the side and back roads and will be able to respond to emergencies quicker.”
Currently there are seven voluntary members in the bike squad, with five using their own motorbikes. Rake hopes to see the squad grow to 30 before the end of the year, through fundraising efforts.
“We are fortunate on the Bluff to have one of the best police stations in the country with many motivated members willing to get stuck in and do all they can to help with the crime situation, but they can’t be everywhere all the time. We are also fortunate we have many residents who have volunteered for COP and although we need more members, they have certainly had a big impact on the crime rate.”
Our next step is to launch the CCPU, a unit that will be highly trained and drawn from those that already have police or military backgrounds. “This unit is going to have a massive impact on the crime rate and will soon be operational 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.”
The first CCPU member is already in training Tactical, who is providing support to the initiative, has ordered a vehicle and specialised equipment.
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the bike squad, or undergoing training to become a CCPU member should email Rake at rakejeeves@telkomsa.net. The bike squad is a voluntary service and no members are paid for their time.
“With COP members and the bike unit patrolling and the new CCPU unit, we are building up a force of crime fighters like no other in the country and I firmly believe that the three units combined are going to have a massive impact on the crime rate.”
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
