Originally published on 28 February 2024
In Norwood, a suburb in Johannesburg, the local police and the Community Policing Forum (CPF) worked together to reduce crime, showing how effective community involvement can be.
What was the problem?
Norwood had many issues, like high crime rates. The community struggled with this problem.
How did they solve it?
Colonel Logan Govender, based at Norwood's police station, developed a few plans to fight crime. The police held weekly meetings with security companies to better handle crime. The station's efforts were recognised, with an improvement in its rating.
Larry Marks, the acting chairperson, led the Community Policing Forum to connect the community and the police. The forum worked to make sure the police provided the services the community needed. Beverly Finger led the Community in Blue (CIB) team to work on social projects to make the area safer, like locking up empty electricity substations.
Acknowledgements:
Original article written by: Asanda Matlhare
Photograph supplied by: Asanda Matlhare
Get your community involved
Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.
Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.
How to set up a community group
How to start a residents' association
How to set up a community policing forum
How to set up a neighbourhood watch
How to organise community action
How to use media to create pressure for change
Know your rights – how local government works
It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.
Johannesburg
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