Community Policing Forums (CPFs) across Buffalo City metro have stepped up crime-prevention efforts, working alongside police and private security companies to patrol neighbourhoods, confiscate dangerous weapons and report suspected criminal activity. During December, crime forums in the metro confiscated hundreds of weapons from alleged would-be criminals. The forums, which were established to strengthen co-operation between communities and law enforcement, have become more visible in recent years, particularly in areas where residents say limited police resources affect response times.
CPF provincial secretary Ludumo Salman said there was a growing need for community-based structures to support policing. “There is a serious need for crime forums, in essence where police fail, then forums are there to close the gap,” Salman said. “Crime stats [have] radically reduced, as most criminals are scared of forums.
“They [criminals] are sometimes able to evade arrest from SAPS, but with crime community forums, it becomes difficult,” he said. According to Salman, co-operation between CPFs and police has led to the regular handover of confiscated weapons, including firearms, to law enforcement. Several neighbourhoods, including Duncan Village, Quigney and Mdantsane, have developed working relationships between residents, CPFs and the SA Police Service (SAPS).
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These partnerships include joint patrols, information-sharing and reporting of suspected criminal activity. East London police spokesperson Hazel Mqala said SAPS had a good working relationship with community forums in the city. “When they confiscate dangerous weapons during their patrols they hand them over to the SAPS,” Mqala said.
Community forums have also established cooperation with private security companies. Red Alert national operations manager Brett Harvey said his company worked closely with several forums.
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