Richards Bay CPF spreads its impact

POLICE added another bridge with the public when residents of Veldenvlei and Wildenweide established a combined Community Policing Forum.

Arboretum CPF Chairman Davie Coetzee shared the successful workings of CPF structures in other suburbs, which has seen establishment of street and zone committees connected via Whatsapp, acting as the eyes and ears of the police.

‘We don’t expect you to go out on patrols and endanger your lives, just to register and stay connected as we share information that will help us to combat crime.

‘Once information is received this is processed and evaluated up the communication chain and passed on to the police for intervention,’ said Coetzee.

‘A simple exercise is to encourage every person to make a detour around the street on his or her arriving at or leaving home, to check out any strange vehicles or activity.

‘We also assist with audits of properties, to ensure they are crime-hardened.’

Lt Col Bheki Thabede praised the community network that was involved in the recent intervention when police gunned down a criminal minutes after an armed robbery took place.

Handing out his own cell phone number, Thabede said the police appreciated the commitment of the CPF as they were entirely dependent on the public to succeed in policing a large area and population.

Captain Michelle Michaels emphasised the need for social cohesion and for strong relationships between the public and police.