New Montclair CPF chair urges public to take action against crime

THE newly appointed chairperson for the Montclair Community Police Forum has called upon the public to adopt a proactive stance in combating crime and to refrain from engaging in vigilantism.

Rave Naidoo, who assumed the position on March 19, after the elections, emphasised the importance of community involvement in addressing issues such as drug abuse and cable theft, which he described as pervasive problems with international dimensions.

Also read: WATCH: Montclair CPF warns residents of new crime patterns

Naidoo stressed the necessity of increased vigilance among citizens, urging them to report suspicious activities to the authorities rather than taking matters into their own hands. He highlighted the sporadic nature of cable theft incidents that have affected numerous neighbourhoods in the southern region of Durban, underscoring the vital role of community cooperation in eradicating this menace.

“Drug abuse and cable theft are not unique to a specific station but rather are international problems. The only way that we, as the CPF, can fight these issues, is by having more eyes and ears on the road and reports to the police. Residents must provide CPF members with sufficient timeframes to follow up with the police once a complaint has been laid. Unfortunately, with cable theft, it occurs randomly and sporadically, so we need the eyes and ears of the community to help us eradicate this problem. The CPF members cannot be everywhere all the time, but if the public take the initiative and be more alert of their surroundings, that would help us a lot to reduce the surge in cable theft,” said Naidoo.

Discussing the core functions of the CPF, Naidoo emphasised its role in ensuring police accountability, fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community and facilitating effective communication channels to address pressing concerns.

He articulated his commitment to enhancing the CPF’s effectiveness in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, striving for tangible results in crime reduction efforts.

Also read: CPFs play crucial role in fight against crime

While acknowledging the challenges inherent in his new role, Naidoo likened his approach to that of managing a successful business, prioritising the best interests of the community and fostering harmonious relationships between stakeholders.

He lauded the CPF’s contributions to crime prevention, citing tangible reductions in petty offenses and enhanced public awareness of law enforcement procedures.

“With the stations having limited resources of policemen, the addition of the CPF, with the community being the eyes and ears for the police, has made an impact and reduced petty crimes by a lot. It has given the people a better understanding of how to communicate with local police stations and a better understanding of the by-laws. In my opinion, the CPF has played a remarkable role in reducing crime,” said Naidoo.

Also read: WATCH: Montclair CPF educate community at crime awareness day

In urging residents to actively participate in neighbourhood watch programs, WhatsApp groups and patrolling initiatives, Naidoo appealed for greater community support in the ongoing battle against criminal activities within suburban areas.

Naidoo took on the role after Montclair CPF chairperson Shawn Smith bowed out to assume his position as treasurer of the eThekwini District Policing Board.

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