Mobilising the world against criminality

I HAVE JUST returned from the 39th annual conference of Crime Stoppers International (CSI) in The Hague, Netherlands, where I was elected vice-president of the global body, which is indeed an honour, and I am humbled.

For the first time, a woman was elected president. Sharon Hanlon, from Australia, and I have pledged to do our bit to make the world safer.

CSI is a global non-profit organisation representing several regions committed to support law enforcement efforts to prevent and solve crime by mobilising citizens to anonymously report illegal activities.

Our partners include law enforcement, the media, public and non-profit organisations as well as international companies committed to the fight against crime.

During the three-day conference, a variety of issues were covered, including illicit trade, human trafficking and organised crime.

Experts from across the globe addressed delegates. We also signed The Hague Accord and pledged to promote global alliances in the fight against crime.

The SA Police Service was represented by the head of detective services, Lt-Gen TC Mosikili, and the head of Crime Stop, Brigadier Attie Lambrecht. They are also fellow directors on the board of CSI.

The illegal tobacco trade also dominated much of the discussions at the conference.

The illegal cigarette trade is a global problem and authorities have to do much more to stop the problem. Various speakers highlighted the lack of action in several countries.

As the global authority on anonymous reporting, CSI principal areas of focus are transnational crime and criminal activity linked to illicit trade, human trafficking, environmental and wildlife crime, cybercrime and international fugitives.

The unique tripartite model of law enforcement, media and the community is the basis of CSI’s success in mobilising communities to take greater responsibility for their safety and security.

This tried and tested model is respected by law enforcement agencies and communities around world.

“Having established a strong presence in North America, Australia, the UK, Netherlands, SA, the Caribbean and parts of Central America over the past 40 years, CSI is ramping up its expansion efforts in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America,” says Hanlon.

We are going to be focusing on South-east Asia, Europe, Africa, South America and the Middle East over the coming years.

CSI has forged strategic partnerships with key international agencies and has become a major actor in facilitating public-private co-operation in the fight against crime.

A few years ago, we hosted the first CSI conference on the African continent in Cape Town. We will be bidding next year to host the conference again locally, possibly in 2021.

Someone, somewhere, somehow knows something about crime. We must break the silence. We must stop protecting criminals. Blow the whistle on them anonymously.

From next Wednesday, I will be the host of a new weekly programme on eNCA, Crime Watch. It will air at 9.30pm.

Yusuf Abramjee is an anti-crime activist and newly elected vice-president of CSI. He is also chief ambassador of the Namola/DialDirect Safety App. Twitter: @abramjee