In our recent sector policing meeting (Sector 2 area) which was held the 2008/3/05, a firm commitment has been made to involve all members of the community in informing them of knowledge and insight to different aspects of crime development as well as safety hints.
Communities are often apathetic until or unless highly visible crimes occur within the area.
Once a serious problem has occurred within an area, community members are on high alert and motivated, formulating short to medium plans, which eventually fall to the way side. This apathy more often than not is a result of lack of knowledge about frequency of crimes committed within the area. The SAPS have a duty to provide information and assistance to community members.
Training and educating play an important role in addressing this problem, it was decided that informative talks will be conducted at the sector police meetings as well as promotion towards workshops for the community members to attend and become knowledgeable as to what sector policing is about, as well as other facets that influence criminal activities.
Our first pilot project is currently under construction:
Many community members have expresses their concern to the telephone calls made to the local police station. Telephone etiquette is important to any public/corporate business as well as government business. More importantly, if its life threatening or in need of assistance.
The sector policing management has envisaged a pilot project which will monitor the compliments to SAPS members as well as complaints.
The reward or motivation towards the compliments of SAPS personnel will be decided on and the complaints side will be workshop of the members by the community themselves to assist and correct. This pilot project will not only be on the telephone etiquette but also on service delivery.
A feedback program form will be available for members of the community to complete and post at the local police box at Walkerville Chemist or alternative to hand in at the next sector policing meeting or to the local sector policing manager.
This being one of many pilot projects we will be envisaging on as well as informative workshops. We hope that this will encourage participation within the community and strengthen the partnership that has been formed between the police and community.
Our next sector police meeting will be held the first Wednesday of every month at 19h00 sharp at Walkerville Showground’s Hall.
Captain Prins