A grand plan against crime

In a bid to improve policing, prevent crime and to enhance the consultation process
between police and the public the South
African Police has embarked on a nationwide project to establish street committees throughout the country.  Northern News spoke to acting Mokopane station commander, Lt.Col. Isaac Mantjane to find out more about the project.
He explained that the police would use street committees to co-ordinate neighbourhoods in working together to safeguard properties, reduce the risk of crime and opportunities of crime within  communities.
“Through street committees the police will focus on crime prevention of crimes against people and properties,” he said.
Mantjane believes even street crimes such as gangsterism will be addressed through street committees as it will be bringing people together and they will have the courage to report criminal activities and hope of crime-free neighbourhoods.
“Families will discourage their children from getting into crime.”
He said these committees will also help create public awareness of security and other issues police face on a daily basis. “They will also assist in neighbourhood surveillance where security companies will come on board and assist us,” Mantjane said.
Mantjane explained that in Mokopane street committees will be divided up into areas. There will for instance be a Hooge Street committee for Kameeldoringpark and a Hooge Street committee for the business area north of Geyser street. In the same way there will be a Pretorius Street committee for Chroompark and another committe for Pretorius Street “Ou Dorp”.
Each street committee will address that community’s own needs. Where house breaking is a problem, the focus will be on patrols with the police and surveillance. In another area the focus might be on the distribution of police information pamphlets educating people on their rights and how to prevent contact crimes such as assault and rape.
Mantjane said collectively a number of street committees will form a neighbourhood watch or committee which will form part of a police sector forum. Representatives from sector forums will all participate in the community policing forum.
But Mantjane and his colleagues are under no illusions about the mammoth task they have set themselves. “We will have to visit each neighbourhood and get buy-in from community members there to help us get these committees off the ground.
“We need to show people these committees are for them, not for the SAPS. It is their safety and security that is on the line. As a society we all need to stop living isolated lives behind our locked doors and gates.”
Mantjane says the Police expects local councillors, representatives from the municipality, CPF sub forums, SAPS members living in neighbourhoods, sector commanders, NGO’s, business forums and security companies to get involved in the project.
He said people are welcome to start organising themselves in their streets and should feel free to call sector commanders to help in establishing committees.
“We already have existing structures in extension 19 and in Flora park. These community policing structures makes it easier to establish street committees.”
Residents of Mokopane who wish to establish committees in their streets, must call their sector commanders for assistance. The sector commander for sector 1 which is the entire area to the north of Van Riebeeck Street is Warrant
Officer MI Pilane (cel: 071 678 3324).
The commander for sector 2 which includes all subburbs and land south of Van Riebeeck Street is Warrant Officer MS Monametji (cell:
071 678 3323). Jasper Raats (jasper@noordnuus.co.za)