MEMBERS of the public gathered at the Montclair Community Hall on January 22 for a crime imbizo aimed at addressing critical issues facing the community.

The primary goal of the imbizo was to tackle the root causes of crime and apply collective knowledge, vision, and insights to strategically implement crime prevention measures that will enhance community safety.

Also read: Brighton Beach police to host Clairwood Imbizo

Station commander Colonel Trevor Small, along with his management team, issued a powerful call for collaborative action to combat crime in the precinct.

Key partners in this effort included:

• Metro Police,
• Montclair Community Policing Forum (CPF),
• Montclair Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum,
• SAPS Montclair Youth Crime Prevention, and various security agencies.

Chairperson of the Montclair CPF, Rave Naidoo, alongside his team, pledged to strengthen visibility across different sectors by deploying active street patrollers.

Also read: Public Works aims to revitalise Montclair’s abandoned buildings

Naidoo called for greater community involvement in the fight against crime, stressing the need for a higher level of commitment to displace criminals from the area.

He emphasised that the community’s involvement in structures such as sector forums and street patrols would significantly enhance visibility, deterring criminal activity. He reiterated that the safety of Montclair is a shared responsibility.

Small expressed confidence that the imbizo facilitated valuable dialogue, allowing police to gain a deeper understanding of the community’s challenges and strengths.

Also read: CPF aims to redefine crime fighting strategies in Montclair

He reassured residents that the Montclair police remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding the constitutional mandate to serve and protect the community.

“Building trust is a gradual process, and all stakeholders must collaborate effectively to ensure the safety of all citizens,” Small said.

He emphasised that police and community partners must make a concerted effort to reclaim spaces from criminals, with the public acting as the eyes and ears for law enforcement.

“We must all serve with integrity and commitment, consistently doing what is right. The police are committed to enhancing service standards, which in turn will improve frontline service delivery.

“I encourage members of the public visiting the Community Service Centre to complete a service client form, which is available at the suggestion box. This feedback will help management address complaints and take disciplinary action when necessary. Let us also show appreciation for the dedicated officers who are carrying out their duties diligently, as the Batho Pele principles encourage us to always prioritise people,” Small added.

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