’Plain imbizos call on the community to serve

Mitchell’s Plain residents will have to trust and test the police when crime is reported and information given to them.

Mitchell’s Plain police station commander Brigadier Mark Hartzenberg, during various imbizos in recent weeks on his “tour” of Mitchell’s Plain, has called on residents to become informants, police reservists and report crime so the police can act on information.

During an imbizo in Eastridge on Wednesday May 1, Brigadier Hartzenberg had to allay fears from residents who asked questions about how confidential information is kept and whether alleged criminals and corrupt police officers will be arrested.

He said residents would have to trust and test him, after he was stationed at Mitchell’s Plain police station, in Eastridge, since March 13 (“Specialised police deployments in ‘Plain”, Plainsman March 20).

Brigadier Hartzenberg met with the communities of Portland, Rocklands and Tafelsig, saying that it would take their commitment to join safety structures, be vetted and show up when called for duty to fight crime.

Mitchell’s Plain Community Police Forum (CPF) treasurer Denzil Sampson said they have been alongside Brigadier Hartzenberg as he spoke to communities.

“We are not the enemy. The information is for the whole community. We are a constitutionally recognised body that are established all over South Africa in different provinces,” he said.

“Help us to be the voice of the community and to bridge the gap between SAPS and the community,” he said.

Mr Sampson said they needed to hear the concerns of the community and assist them where possible.

Jasmine Harris, CPF projects coordinator, spoke to residents as a great-grandmother, grandmother and a mother, to stop hiding their children’s misdemeanours.

“Don’t hide the guns and the drugs.

“If your child belongs to a gang or is addicted to drugs, get help. Stand up.

“We need to get the guns off the streets one by one,” she said.

Ms Harris said parents should not be held hostage in their own homes.

“It is not safe in your own home.

“Children are doing whatever they please.

“We must stand together and we must be firm in fighting crime together,” she said.

Brigadier Hartzenberg said residents should take the first steps to engaging with the police.

“Give us the information so we can do our work,” he said.

He encouraged residents to report crime to 10111 and if they do not get the desired result to call him directly.

“But I need the reference number and the proof that you reported the matter and I can give your feedback,” he said.

Brigadier Hartzenberg assured residents that they could remain anonymous and that information shared would be kept confidential.

• Mitchell’s Plain Community Police Forum’s Westridge Sub-forum will be hosting a Mitchell’s Plain SAPS community engagement imbizo at Jersey Street Park, in Westridge, on Saturday May 11, at 3.30pm. Residents and community members, including representatives from schools, religious institutions, sports fraternity, arts and drama and youth groups are welcome. The agenda includes crime prevention, community safety, how to report crime and working together to keep the community safe. For more information call Wayne Fisher on 079 436 6982 or 083 280 8482.