He led the evaluation conference on August 2, at Germiston Council Chambers, to reflect on the past year with regards to progress made of the CSF.
According to Siboza, who is also the chairman of the CSF, the Community Safety Forum came into being following extensive consultative processes that were initiated in 2012, which included sensitising communities at ward committee level.
Consultative workshops with all other stakeholders was also held, which culminated in an official launching conference in July.
“Three regional CSF structures have been established since that time, and at least five major successful awareness campaigns have thus far been conducted. A significant augmentation in terms of human resources of EMPD personnel has been realised,” says Siboza.
“Although we are still faced with challenges in respect of financial constraints and clarifying of the difference between CSFs and Community Policing Forums (CPFs) to our communities, we have made progress.”
He says this includes a Community Safety Plan (CSP) that has been adopted with remedial measures in place to solicit funds and stepping up on awareness campaigns.
“Over and above, future plans include establishment of ward-based CSFs as well as Voting District-based CSFs by mid-2016”, Siboza said.
“Delegates officially adopted the CSP by signing a declaration to that effect. For a noticeable improvement to be realised, it is crucial that safety plans are in place and all precincts in Ekurhuleni have practical and measurable results driven by Community Safety Plans (CSPs).
“The advent of CSF was as the result of limitations in the CPFs which lack formal interaction with other criminal justice agencies such as courts, prisons including government departments.
“These limitations in CPFs motivated the establishment of CSFs as the people needed to be involved not only in determining police priorities in their area, but also identifying the criminal prevention needs.”
He says crime levels are affected by a range of economic, social and political factors.
“Addressing crime prevention needs require a multi-disciplinary and an integrated approach. CSFs still play a meaningful role in the fight against crime based on their needs and aspirations.”
The CSF committee is charged with the responsibility to coordinate all stakeholders involved in community safety with the objective of ensuring a seamless management of the CSF structures in Ekurhuleni. – @CarmenBoksburg
