Community Police Forum makes us safer

AFTER a Reservoir Hills father was robbed while seeing his young children off in a taxi to school, he joined the local Community Police Forum (CPF), which he now heads.

“After my incident two years ago we have not had many incidents happening at night because we patrol, but during the day there are a lot of housebreakings reported,” he said.

The workfrom-home businessman, who did not want to be named out of fear for his safety, recalled that his neighbour, who had witnessed the incident, had sent texts to the community WhatsApp group and phoned his brother for assistance. When the robbers, who had proceeded to hold him, his wife and baby up inside the house, had seen his brother’s car approaching they went outside and pointed a gun at him, he said. By then police were already on the scene.

When the three armed robbers got outside, the homeowner said they had no idea he was also armed because they did not search him. “They were focused on my brother, so when I heard police sirens were close, I pulled out my gun and took a shot at one who lost his life. One of them ran away and the police managed to catch the other one.”

Despite this incident happening two years ago, the businessman is still afraid, despite his upgraded security.

“But how much security is enough,” he said, sounding frustrated.

While security measures play a part, joining community watch and neighbourhood WhatsApp groups are becoming crucial in the fight against crime. Getting to know your neighbours better also helps.