North West Acting MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety & Liaison, Dr. Magome Masike has expressed optimism that the first phase of the Crime Prevention Through Environment Design (CPTED) house numbering project carried out at Ramotse RDP Section in Makapanstad, Moretele, will result in speedy arrest of criminals and reduce crime.
Over 150 volunteers, including the Mayor of Moretele Local Municipality, Councillor Steve Kutumela participated in the project last Thursday which is a first of its kind in the North West province.
The project aimed at improving police response time to crime incidents is expected to reduce theft of copper cables, burglaries, robberies and street assaults prevailing in the area.
According to Community Policing Forum (CPF) volunteer of over 10 years, Agatha Nkadimeng (57), there has been a considerable decline of theft of copper cables and other criminal activities in the area since sector police forum was established and a dedicated vehicle allocated for a 24 hour patrol service in the area.
Nkadimeng whose Mathibestad Riverside Sub–Forum is scheduled to be re-launched later this month said that CPF members have received training that enables them to make a quick assessment ofincidents that urgently require police intervention.
Councillor Kutumela in appreciating the selfless activism of members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) urged communities to support the effort of the police to squeeze crime to zero by not buying stolen goods. Kutumela appealed to members of the community to report any criminal activities and work together with CPF’s street patrollers to rid their communities of the scourge of crime.
About 150 houses were numbered during the first phase of the project which is expected to be implemented in phases to coverall 1 000 housing units. House numbering is part the CPTED strategy.
The Provincial Department of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison has jointly with the South African Police Service identified that absence of street names and house numbering delay police response to crime reports by citizens that require urgent police action, particularly in new formal and informal settlements.
Police tend to get lost trying to locate exact houses whenever they are responding to emergencies, particularly at night, as most houses in these settlements either do not have conspicuous house numbers or have them at all. This delays their arrival in situations that require their swift arrival.
CPTED House numbering projects are to be rolled out in new formal settlements in partnership with municipalities which have adopted the CPTED strategy.
Enquiries:
Lesiba oses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9123
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
