Neighbourhood Watches, SAPS and LEAP officers working together to make Delft safer
Yesterday, Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz and I visited Delft to meet with the local Neighbourhood Watch, walk with them in their community and get an understanding of some of the issues that they face on the ground.
We were joined by the local SAPS, as well as some of the 70 LEAP officers who have recently been deployed to the area as part of our safety plan, in partnership with the City of Cape Town.
The Western Cape Government's safety plan is an evidence-led and data-driven response to violence in our communities. It is aimed at increasing the number of boots on the ground, while also focusing on violence prevention strategies which will address the root causes of violence and create safer communities.
Safety has been a key focus area for me since I became Premier because I have seen the impact that crime and violence has on the citizens of this province, on the fabric of our society and because it links to so many other issues including our ability to provide services such as healthcare, education, and social services as well as our ability to secure investment and create jobs.
As we now turn our attention to the province's post-Covid recovery plan, the safety of our residents remains a key focus for us.
Delft is one of the areas with the highest murder and gender-based violence rates in the province, and I was therefore very pleased to see the work of an active Neighbourhood Watch being supported by both SAPS and law enforcement. Partnerships like this are key to addressing safety issues in high crime areas.
It was an honour to walk with the volunteers of the Delft Neighbourhood Watch, led by Susan Plaatjies and to see their commitment to making their community a safer place to live. I was also heartened to see the excitement in citizens eyes when they see that there is a commitment to making their environment safer.
I also spoke to young people and children who walked alongside us, who can see themselves playing a part in crime fighting, as opposed to joining gangs, which gives me hope for the future.
Minister Fritz said: “I wish to whole-heartedly commend and thank the Delft Neighbourhood Watch on the important work they do in their community. It was a privilege to attend a walk-about with them yesterday and to see how they are assisting their community. This women-led structure acts as the eyes and ears of Delft, assisting SAPS in responding timeously to incidents. They set an example of what active citizenry is and the role that each of us can play in making our communities safer.”
