The North West Department of Public Safety has mobilised 150 community patrollers to encourage community crime prevention and sector structures to raise their participation to a higher level so as to accommodate the demands of the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup with respect to crime prevention initiatives.
The objective of the community mobilisation programme is to assist the criminal justice system to decrease crime before, during and after the 2010 World Cup so as to attract more visitors/tourists to the country and to make sure that the communities surrounding the World Cup activities are safer than they are currently.
According to North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa, the programme is in support of the ‘volunteers in policing’ draft policy framework that:
* Recognises importance of communities as sources of information in a relationship between the Police and the community
* Acknowledges the effectiveness of actively involved communities that share creation of a crime-free environment
* Appreciates existing efforts by communities through mobilising and offering volunteering services in various methods to ensure public safety and better quality of life.
Ten volunteers were recruited from Phokeng, Rustenburg, Tlhabane, Marikana, Sun City, Boitekong, Boons, Mogwase, Lethabong and Koster for participation in the programme and appointed after undergoing a vetting and security screening process.
The volunteers will be responsible for patrolling strategic places areas such as taxi ranks, bus ranks, shopping complexes/malls, shebeens, taverns, corner stalls, Field College Fan Fest Park and the Tsitsing Public Viewing Area and other crime hotspots and identify physical factors that make citizens, fans and tourists vulnerable to crime as well as to observe criminal activities.
They are also expected to inform relevant authorities of required intervention to clear empty buildings, open spaces, underdeveloped park and unguarded community facilities.
They will also assist with distribution of pamphlets on safe driving tips, general travel and safety tips, contact numbers for police and other emergency services at public facilities including hotels and other tourist attraction areas.
A stipend of R120,00 per day is budgeted for the volunteers for the duration of the 2010 Football World Cup
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: lkgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Safety, North West Provincial Government
11 June 2010
