Community safety forum: Making Drakenstein safer
Stakeholders who all play a role in making a safer community have pledged to work together through the establishment of the new Drakenstein Community Safety Forum.
Image: Drakenstein Municipality
A community safety forum was launched at the Paarl Civic Centre on Friday, August 1, to ensure safety across the Drakenstein Municipality.
The new Drakenstein Community Safety Forum represents a partnership between the community police forum, police, neighbourhood watches in the municipality, national and provincial government departments, departments of the municipality, and private security companies.
“By joining forces, these groups aim to strengthen coordination, share insights, and promote a safer, more resilient Drakenstein for all our residents,” said Saul Jacobs, manager of law enforcement and security.
The forum was formed with the support and funding from the provincial government.
Speaking at the launch, executive mayor Stephen Korabie said, "The enormous social and economic development in Drakenstein requires a safe and secure environment. You cannot have economic growth if you don’t have safety and security.”
MEC for police oversight and community safety, Anroux Marais, said that working together is bound to yield better results, especially when it comes to safety and crime prevention.
“We know that crime is complex and, therefore, there are no quick fixes or simple solutions. That is why the CSF is built as a coordinating platform to help bring it all together. It is about making sure that the right people are around the same table, supporting each other, and planning side by side.
“Community safety extends beyond policing and law enforcement. It includes addressing social development, education, infrastructure, healthcare, and economic opportunities,” she said.