Meeting the police in Langlaagte

By Mandisi Majavu

RELATIONS between police and residents in Langlaagte have been tremendously improved, thanks to the local community police forum.

After the 1994 elections, the bad image of the police needed to be improved, and the forum was on hand to do precisely that, says Ivor Rhoda, an executive member of the Langlaagte CPF.

Rhoda says basically the forum facilitates interaction between the community and the police. They do that in several ways: by helping members of the community understand police procedures like the need to fill in police forms, for example, and also by relaying to police the public's complaints - things like noise and questionable activities taking place in and around the community.

And if the community has problems with the police, the forum can and does take them up with the police, according to Rhoda.

The police forum covers eight areas: Langlaagte, Mayfair, Industria, Homestead Park, Longdale, Riverlea, Zanempilo informal settlement and Horseshoe.

The Victim Empowerment Forum (VEF), which deals with rape and abuse victims, works under the policing forum's umbrella.

The victim empowerment volunteers are called in to help police deal with victims of rape or abuse, says Althea Milton, VEF co-ordinator.

In cases of rape, Milton says, they contact the Child Protection Unit in Braamfontein, even if the victim is not a child; and while waiting for CPU officials to arrive, forum members try to calm the victim down and explain police procedures - like filing charges. They also explain the need for an Aids test, routine pregnancy tests and the court process that will follow.

For victims of abuse, they try to bring both parties in, offer counselling, and if one party wants to press charges, they assist with that as well.

But, fortunately, rape is not a major crime in Langlaagte. According to station commissioner, Superintendent Nanda Moodley, the crimes most prevalent in the area are assault with grievous bodily harm, theft out of motor vehicles and housebreaking of both business and residential premises.

The Langlaagte station is 66 police officers strong, and serves a population of about 180 000. One of the groups they work closely with is the Religious Fraternity Forum initiated by the station.

The main goal of the religious forum, says coordinator Johan Kiewiet, is to involve religious leaders in the community in crime-fighting efforts. The leaders are of religious different backgrounds reflecting the Langlaagte community; people tend to find it easy to approach them when experiencing problems in their own societies, he says.

The religious forum is relatively new, but Kiewiet is confident it will grow and achieve good results in bringing the community close to the police.

For more information, contact the CPF's Ivor Rhoda on 083 408 6346 or the Langlaagte station commissioner: Superintendent Nanda Moodley at (011) 473-6211