A Community Policing Forum (CPF) meeting on Monday, 13 July, brought Sector 1 residents together at Wynberg Girls’ High School. The meeting focused on establishing a Sector 1 CPF Sub-Forum and starting the process of forming a formal Neighbourhood Watch (NHW).
Residents volunteer
Several residents volunteered to help launch the initiatives. Others expressed interest in joining the NHW. “Several residents put up their hands to help get this ball rolling,” said Suzanne Japhta, chair of the Wynberg CPF. “Several members also expressed interest in starting a Neighbourhood Watch.”CPF executive members will lead an interim working group. The group plans to meet again the following week. The meeting will focus on the NHW’s structure, responsibilities and community patrols.
Key safety concerns
Residents identified three main concerns: vagrancy, drug use among homeless people and theft from residential properties. A NHW will work with SAPS and the CPF. Volunteers will conduct visible patrols, report suspicious activity, share safety information and support emergency responses.They will provide SAPS with an additional set of “eyes and ears” in the community.
CPF’s role
Section 19 of the South African Police Service Act, 1995, establishes Community Police Forums as statutory bodies. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, also supports their role. The CPF does not replace SAPS or carry out police duties. Instead, it connects residents with SAPS and promotes cooperation, communication, accountability and community involvement in crime prevention.
A CPF Sub-Forum focuses on a specific sector or neighbourhood. It represents residents’ concerns, works with the SAPS Sector Commander and identifies local crime trends. It also coordinates safety initiatives and encourages public participation.
For Nancy Krisch, former chair of the Sector 1 CPF Sub-Forum, the turnout showed that residents wanted to get involved. “The people who showed up were prepared to sign up, and that is important,” she said. “They were there to put their hands up and volunteer. Wynberg requires all hands on deck.”
Krisch said Wynberg needed greater attention from government and law-enforcement authorities. The area includes a busy public transport interchange, two hospitals, Home Affairs, several courts, a large SAPS precinct, a mall and a busy Main Road retail hub.
Get involved
Residents who want to join the NHW can contact the Wynberg CPF at wynbergcpf5@gmail.com or via WhatsApp on 070 375 9769.
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