A fair land indeed

By Tendai Dhliwayo

FAIRLAND'S name suggests why its residents feel safe - it is the area with the lowest crime rate in Gauteng, according to its community policing forum chairperson, Dave Casey. On top of that, the superb performance of its "well motivated team of police officers" and its residents' commitment to root out crime make it a fair land indeed.

Started in the early 90s, the first thing the policing forum did was to establish communication links with Fairland police as well as building a relationship of trust, including the establishment of service level expectations.

Since its inception, the forum has never looked back. One of its initiatives was to have the police station upgraded, and this had to be done in phases. The upgrading included fencing the station and upgrading its infrastructure and equipment for use by police officers. The step-by-step upgrading was completed last year, R100 000 being the total cost of the upgrading - courtesy of various companies that donated equipment.

In terms of fighting crime, the forum has established an effective relationship with the four security firms that prowl the streets of the suburb. It has succeeded in making residents and workers proactive in terms of dealing with crime. The Domestic Watch Programme encourages domestics to be "the eyes and ears of the police". Domestics can report to the police any suspicious people and activities that they spot during the day.

According to Casey, sector policing in the area was a failed because residents tend to rely on the security firms they subscribe to. But the chairman is pleased that people regularly donate money for crime prevention and at times donate equipment for use at the police station.

The community further aids the station by helping in vehicle maintenance and doing minor repairs at low cost. A volunteer programme that was initiated also helps as people do various voluntary work at the station, which Casey says is understaffed.

He says the forum has encouraged a high degree of participation by the police whose efforts are supplemented and reinforced by the security firms.

To try to strengthen the forum activities and initiatives, Casey says, the forum's constitution will be changed to suit the needs of the area and to encourage new members to join so as "to bring new ideas" and help keep crime at bay.

The forum relies heavily on fundraising. Golf days are usually arranged for such purposes - and residents comply. As Casey puts it: "We try to play a supportive role." People also get the chance to know what the forum's needs are. Collection boxes are also put in stores to help in such efforts.

The forum intends entering into a partnership with MTN, which is poised to establish its head office in this northwestern suburb, to help combat crime. It is expected that MTN will help in terms of bettering communication among various bodies by providing cell phones.

The success of policing this 18-square-kilometre area lies in the high level of co-operation and, says Casey, the police station, though understaffed, serves a small area.

"We like to thank the police for doing a good job," concludes Casey.

For more information, contact Dave Casey: 082-554-8736 or the Fairland police station commissioner, Superintendent JJ Bezuidenhoudt on 011-478911.