GEORGE NEWS - The imperative of unity and community involvement against escalating crime within George and its surrounding suburbs was highlighted at the recent two-day Community Safety Forum (CSF) Workshop hosted by the George Municipality in the Conville community hall last week.
The workshop provided an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange insights and strategies, with a shared commitment for a safer community.
After members of the municipality, community police forums and local police gave their input, break-away sessions were held where attendees discussed practical ideas to make our streets safer.
The event was attended by various stakeholders who put their heads together about the way forward. The important role of the community was repeatedly emphasised. The draft community safety implementation plan of the George Municipality was also discussed.
On Tuesday 26 March, George Mayor Leon van Wyk said in his welcome address that we must move to the implementation phase. Safety in the communities is very important.
He encouraged participants to move away from a blame-shifting approach. The solution lies in the buy-in of communities in the matter.
The crime situation in Thembalethu and Conville was specifically focused on, and on Wednesday it was Pacaltsdorp, George and Uniondale's turn.
Mario Alaart of Hoogekraal Neighbourhood Watch and Ward 14 Councillor Melvin Roelfse.
George Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Rupert Pretorius said the CSF is a unique platform to establish cohesion among all law enforcement entities.
"Creating effective and streamlined policing to ensure safer environments is crucial.
"However, achieving this requires a multifaceted approach that involves not only law enforcement agencies but also active participation from the public.
"It is time for the residents to take responsibility for their own safety and become actively involved in fighting criminal activities. Criminals are living among us, continuously tolerated by society. This needs to end. Stop pointing fingers and depending on others for your safety.
"If we expect to live in a safer environment, then we should join hands and make this a reality," Pretorius said.
George Community Police Forum's Rupert Pretorius speaking to attendees during the question-and-answer session after day two of the workshop.
Pacaltsdorp CPF gives thumbs up
Pacaltsdorp CPF chairperson Charly Daman also applauded the initiative by George Municipality.
"I think the Community Safety Forum (CSF) is a great initiative to get input from community members on the ground.
"We can overcome crime and do so much more if we work together. In Pacaltsdorp we need to create more jobs for the youth to reduce youth crimes and we need more programmes against gender-based violence, child abuse and domestic violence, which are red areas in our community. It is also necessary to build trust.
"There are high crime rates in the communities and the police cannot handle the fight against it alone," said Daman.
Jacques Goliath of Men for Change, Pacaltsdorp Community Police Forum's chairperson Charly Daman and Michael Lucas, also from Men for Change. Photos: Kristy Kolberg
Salomé Bruyns of the Garden Route SPCA with Patrick Meyer and Barend le Roux of CapeNature.
