Joburg’s safest area
Co-operation between police and community pays off for Fairland
THE country might be buckling under the reality of this week’s crime figures but one part of Joburg at least is bucking the trend.
Fairland, in the northern suburbs, recorded no murders in the past financial year – although there were four cases of attempted murder. The year before there was a single case of murder.
During the day, residents jog the streets freely while others walk their dogs.
Fairland police station commander Lieutenant-colonel Clive de Freitas attributes the suburb’s murder-free record to the co-operation that exists between the police, the community policing forums and private security companies.
“We are very fortunate to have such a working system. Criminals have no chance. This community works very well with the police,” he says.
De Freitas has only been in command for a year but has already introduced two initiatives to reinforce crime prevention. This includes the CPF Patrolla Programme.
“We trained some CPF members. At various intervals, especially at night, they voluntarily join police in patrolling the area. We have eyes everywhere in the area. Nothing goes unnoticed.”
De Freitas also formed a neighbourhood watch Whatsapp group consisting of about 400 members. “All this contributes to a safer neighbourhood.”
He commended private security companies for their willingness to help too. “Sometimes when all our vehicles are out on the streets, security companies in this area do help us a great deal. It really goes a long way.”
Merric Mitchell, a property dealer in the area, echoes De Freitas’s sentiments.
“This is a wonderful suburb for selling property. Many people want to move here. Property sells fast. Business is booming for those who bought rental property. I’m also considering moving here in future.”
Mitchell said he had been working in the area for almost three years and had not heard of a single crime. “Not a single incident. Most of my customers are happy to have purchased property here.” A grocery store owner, who asked not to be named, said he had been in the area for more than 30 years and had not encountered any robberies.
“The police and security companies do a great job. I attend community policing forum meetings all the time. This a very tight-knit community.”
But it’s not all rosy. The latest statistics reveal Fairland had 22 cases of common robbery, 100 robberies with aggravating circumstances, 35 incidents of common assault and 18 assaults with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.
De Freitas said he wanted to improve response times. “We have a dedicated workforce. I am confident we will meet our target despite resource constraints,” he said.