Residents protest for more cops
RESIDENTS from Kensington and Fractreton demonstrated along Voortrekker Road to highlight crime in their communities.
The communities asked for more resources, as the Kensington Police Station was understaffed due to members being transferred to other units.
The police’s stabilisation unit has been deployed to the area.
Community Policing Forum (CPF) Mogamat Nordien said they recently held a meeting with the provincial police about the matter.
The outcome of the meeting was that they will be getting nine new police officers, including seven detectives.
Previously, the station only had three detectives. “When the new police recruits come, Kensington and Fractreton will be prioritised.
“We are happy about the outcome of the meeting.”
Yesterday, about 200 people picketed on Voortrekker Road. “The aim was to make people aware of the crime in our communities. We told the provincial police that more officers patrolling our communities really helps.” Another resident from Kensington, Zainulabideen van der Schyff, 22, who also picketed, said that crime has escalated in the last few months. “Especially with violent crimes more police officers will help. The police in this area have been understaffed for a long time.”
Twenty-one-year-old Hjordes Groenewald also from Kensington said: “Gang violence in the area is getting worse. Children and innocent people are getting shot. That is why we as a community started doing things to make our communities safer. If we are not going to do something innocent people and children will continue to be murdered.”