By REGINALD KANYANE
The residents of Huhudi Township near Vryburg welcomed the Community In Blue patrollers in their areas. This comes after the alleged high rate of crime being experienced in the area recently.
One of the community leaders, Samma Sibi said, they are grateful to launch this initiative as it aims at achieving more effective crime control, reducing fears of crime, improved police services through proactive partnerships and programs with the police.
Sibi further said, they are working in partnership with the Huhudi Police Station in a quest to solve safety problems.
“The initiative is supported by the South African Police Services (SAPS) Act 68 of 1995 that mandates all station commissioners to establish these forums at the station level. So, we are happy that the Huhudi Police Station has launched this initiative for the very first time.
“The safety of our community is our concern, so we started at Huhudi stadium and we will be here until tomorrow morning. There is an ongoing North West Traditional Doctors conference currently taking place here too,” Sibi said.
He urged people to support this initiative to make their township a free crime zone. Sibi further said, those who have questions or need any clarity can call the Huhudi Police Station at (053) 928-4066.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said in order for this community policing to be achievable, South Africa has in its Constitution Act 108 of 1996 entrenched the establishment of Community Police Forums (CPFs).
“The Community in Blue Patrollers program was formulated and is in line with the community policing approach and national development plan. The aim of the program is to motivate communities to play an active role in community safety by reporting criminal activities such as suspicious behaviours and actively joining the police in preventing crime through visibility.
“So, the Community Policing Forum (CPF) in Huhudi Township managed to launch their Community In Blue patrollers and commenced with their patrolling duties under the supervision of the Huhudi Police Station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mbotho,” she said.
Van Rooyen added that, the program was not specifically started because there is a high rate of crime in the area, but this is a national program, that must be rolled out at all police stations throughout South Africa.
She said the South African Police Service (SAPS) needs the community to come on board in ensuring safer communities for all and this program will help to achieve that goal.
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