CPF warns residents to be on their guard

THE Port Alfred Community Policing Forum (CPF), Sector 2 policing and the Rapid Rural Response (RRR) meetings have recently been combined under the chairmanship of the acting CPF chairman, George Galbraith, in order to better coordinate police and community actions against criminals.

The latest meeting, held at the Port Alfred police station boardroom, was on Tuesday afternoon where a full house of members and visitors explored ways of reducing crime in the area.

Galbraith thanked chairwoman Heather Leicher, who is currently overseas, for her hard work over the years and stated that the CPF must develop a plan of action for the entire year. He said he would be working on this.

Business in the CBD

In accordance with the objectives of the SAPS’ national Operation Fiela, aimed at identifying illegal immigrants, local SAPS has been investigating shops in the Central Business District (CBD) to ensure conformance with national laws as well as local by-laws.

“We have conducted a survey of the businesses in town,” said Port Alfred Station Commander Colonel Lizette Zeelie. “In many businesses the standard of hygiene needs to be addressed.”

Zeelie added that the survey also asked who was in the shops and whether the shop was properly licensed.

“We need to make sure that all shops conform to the law,” she said.

But Mcingeli Madlebe, Ndlambe municipal Senior Health Practitioner, surprised everyone when he stated that furniture shops did not require a licence to operate.

Youth

Zeelie said she was pleased the municipality had decided to allow the Nemato Change a Life to occupy the old offices behind the old market building (the Lounge) for its youth programme.

“There is so little for the youth to do in the area, and that is a major contributor to crime, including substance abuse, in the area,” she said. “This is a way for our youth to get together in a healthy way.”

However, Zeelie wanted more done, saying that not all children liked sports and there must be more activities laid on for them.

Crime statistics

Crime for January in the four zones for Port Alfred was generally down on the previous month, but that is to be expected following the festive season when thousands of visitors descend on the area.

While business break-ins had seen a slight increase over the period, other crime had lessened over the period.

However, theft out of cars is still a problem and the police asked that people not leave valuables exposed in their cars, particularly when leaving the car in a car park or parked on the street, as this simply encourages crime.

A problem area was identified at Station Hill where crime was up. Cases of assault also showed a slight increase.

The subject of sliding doors was also raised at the meeting, and advice given that such doors are easily lifted off their runners and provide an easy entry point for criminals.