Community involvement is key to tackling crime, says the Wynberg Community Police Forum (CPF).
The forum’s new executive committee was elected in November last year and has been holding meetings since then to introduce its members to the public and outline its role in bringing together residents and police representatives to address safety concerns and promote police accountability, transparency, and effectiveness.
Chairperson Suzanne Japhta said they wanted to bolster community involvement.
“We are only six people on the executive, and, of course, we are not going to be able to tackle the issues on our own so we need the community’s buy-in to help us and to work hand in hand with us.”
A key aim was to get a more established neighbourhood watch in the Wynberg-east area, she said.
“We are still trying to find our feet because it’s only been three months, but there has been a positive reaction from the community, and we’re hoping to build on that to create more street watches and neighbourhood watches,” she said.
“We are trying to get the community to work with us and to work with SAPS so that we can actually alleviate crime, poverty, drugs and all the social ills that Wynberg is struggling with. Wynberg is one of the problem areas, but we are working towards getting the community back to a point where residents can walk down the street without fear that they will be a victim.”
Treasurer Ebrahim Abrahams said: “Wynberg has so much history, and there are so many positive things, skills resources and talent, and if we can pull those things together, we will be able to assist all our neighbours and address and alleviate as many issues as possible.”
The elected members are chairperson Suzanne Japhta, vice-chairperson Moegamat Reeffaard, treasurer Ebrahim Abrahams, project co-ordinator Ishmaeel Mackenzie, secretary Theresa Daniels, public relations officer Candice Jacobs and additional executive member Robert Kaye.
Contact the CPF via email at wynbergcpf5@gmail.com
