CPF given the cuff during lockdown

LOCAL community policing forums (CPF) have not welcomed the decision forbidding them from carrying out their duties during the lockdown.

Bluff CPF chairperson, Andy Rossel maintains that the decision to sideline the community’s crime fighters was a harsh decision. “We were told to closed down the forum and stay in our homes during the 21-day period. I’m not sure that was a great decision because we have always had a close working relationship with SAPS and Metro Police. We are the one’s who are out on the streets daily and aware of the hotspots and safety concerns,” he said.

READ: Youth encouraged to attend Bluff CPF Youth Desk meeting

According to Police Minister Bheki Cele, in the first week of the lockdown, murder cases had dropped from 326 to 94; rape cases from 699 to 101; and cases of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm from 2673 to 456. Carjacking, hijacking and business robbery dropped from 8853 to 2098, in comparison to the same period in 2019.

Rossel said that although crime stats have decreased, He has noted a slight spike in criminal activities over the past few days on the Bluff. “House break-ins and burglaries, particularly after midnight, have increased. I don’t think Metro Police have the muscle to deal with the people who refuse to abide by the lockdown rules, especially those at the slum houses. Kingsclere Road for example has about 50 inhabitants. Drinking, drugs and prostitution, and many visitors are frequently visible. We even suspect that they are engaged in illegal cigarette trade.

“There is also the issue of people wandering the streets and not taking the lockdown seriously. Although there police presence in the area, I think police really need to work hard at enforcing the lockdown. We can’t afford to have this virus come to the Bluff. With the social activity in the slum houses, the informal settlements and people who walk up and down aimlessly, it would spread like wild fire,” he said.

READ: Montclair crime stats on par with the streets

Montclair CPF Chairman, Aaron Nyadi shared similar sentiments, adding that the CPF being excluded from law enforcement activities was not right. “Members have been instructed to stay home and there is no way of knowing whether local crime stats have really decreased in our own community. We have basically been regarded as a non-essential service to the community which is wrong. We are hoping that this matter can be revisited and reconsidered at provincial and national level,” he said.

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