Many initiatives were implemented in 2007, aimed at reducing the rising levels of crime attacking Johannesburg, which were eating away at the very fabric of society.
One such crime-combating project is The Community Patroller Project, which was implemented eight months ago, and was the joint brainchild of The South African Police Services (SAPS) and The Johannesburg Central Police Station (JCPS).
Apart from easing the unemployment rate, it was and is a perfect tool for Visible Policing that helped in deterring criminals from those areas – and continues to do so at present.
The project was first introduced into the community via The Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg, who took on a few patrollers as a trial run, and through this, many more businesses which fall under the jurisdiction of JCPS came on board and employed more patrollers.
Businesses such as The United Muslim Meat Supply, AFCO Properties, Dragon City, Global Targets, M & P Trikam, China Mart and Piccadilly, saw the potential of the project and as a result, the project steadily grew.
Co-ordinator Captain Ebrahim of JCPS says that the patrollers are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the community, and will report all types of suspicious behaviour. They will make certain that the police are alerted when a robbery is in progress and be on hand to assist where possible.
He says “Not only are our patrollers there in a security capacity, but also in a service delivery capacity. They will report on Utility issues, such as waste not being removed, trees not being cut, lights not working, etc. They have a multifunctional job and will assist council to improve the areas they patrol.”
“However, when the project took off, there were 150 patrollers and now there are only 60 remaining. The employment of patrollers begins with a few businessmen on a street or block agreeing to pay R5.00 each a day towards the patrollers’ salaries to have them patrol outside their businesses between 8am to 5pm. But in time one businessman stops paying and decides not to be included in the project. The other businessmen get discouraged because the one business is getting free security and everybody pulls out.”
He says that just because of that one businessman, the project in that area falls away, and patrollers are left unemployed once again and criminals have one less security group to worry about.
According to the Manager of Polar Ice Cream, the patroller who watches over the business has had a huge positive impact in the area.
“Before the patroller was employed by us, we used to have hold-ups every week, which affected our business because we incurred losses. But with this patroller, who we have come to trust, there have been no robbery attempts from August last year till date.”
Jansen Zhang of Dragon City says “The visibility of the patrollers has really helped reduce crime at Dragon City. I encourage more people to employ these patrollers, which would make a big difference around their businesses.”
Both men encourage businessmen and women to embrace this project because it is proving to be a benefit for the community.
Ebrahim says that it is amazing how foreigners have seen the benefit of the project and have proved that they are now part of the South African community, who care about their impact on their communities, and the impact of crime on their customers.
He adds that more huge businesses need to come on board and support this project that would benefit communities, and would allow more small businesses to be included in this initiative.
“Right now, the huge organization AFCO Properties has employed some patrollers, and they are thinking of employing many more as it has benefited them. This is a huge step towards the Patroller project, and may just inject it with new life.”
Captain Ebrahim urges business people of Johannesburg to support this venture that can only contribute to a positive environment and help reduce crime.
He can be contacted on 084 587 8637.
One such crime-combating project is The Community Patroller Project, which was implemented eight months ago, and was the joint brainchild of The South African Police Services (SAPS) and The Johannesburg Central Police Station (JCPS).
Apart from easing the unemployment rate, it was and is a perfect tool for Visible Policing that helped in deterring criminals from those areas – and continues to do so at present.
The project was first introduced into the community via The Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg, who took on a few patrollers as a trial run, and through this, many more businesses which fall under the jurisdiction of JCPS came on board and employed more patrollers.
Businesses such as The United Muslim Meat Supply, AFCO Properties, Dragon City, Global Targets, M & P Trikam, China Mart and Piccadilly, saw the potential of the project and as a result, the project steadily grew.
Co-ordinator Captain Ebrahim of JCPS says that the patrollers are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the community, and will report all types of suspicious behaviour. They will make certain that the police are alerted when a robbery is in progress and be on hand to assist where possible.
He says “Not only are our patrollers there in a security capacity, but also in a service delivery capacity. They will report on Utility issues, such as waste not being removed, trees not being cut, lights not working, etc. They have a multifunctional job and will assist council to improve the areas they patrol.”
“However, when the project took off, there were 150 patrollers and now there are only 60 remaining. The employment of patrollers begins with a few businessmen on a street or block agreeing to pay R5.00 each a day towards the patrollers’ salaries to have them patrol outside their businesses between 8am to 5pm. But in time one businessman stops paying and decides not to be included in the project. The other businessmen get discouraged because the one business is getting free security and everybody pulls out.”
He says that just because of that one businessman, the project in that area falls away, and patrollers are left unemployed once again and criminals have one less security group to worry about.
According to the Manager of Polar Ice Cream, the patroller who watches over the business has had a huge positive impact in the area.
“Before the patroller was employed by us, we used to have hold-ups every week, which affected our business because we incurred losses. But with this patroller, who we have come to trust, there have been no robbery attempts from August last year till date.”
Jansen Zhang of Dragon City says “The visibility of the patrollers has really helped reduce crime at Dragon City. I encourage more people to employ these patrollers, which would make a big difference around their businesses.”
Both men encourage businessmen and women to embrace this project because it is proving to be a benefit for the community.
Ebrahim says that it is amazing how foreigners have seen the benefit of the project and have proved that they are now part of the South African community, who care about their impact on their communities, and the impact of crime on their customers.
He adds that more huge businesses need to come on board and support this project that would benefit communities, and would allow more small businesses to be included in this initiative.
“Right now, the huge organization AFCO Properties has employed some patrollers, and they are thinking of employing many more as it has benefited them. This is a huge step towards the Patroller project, and may just inject it with new life.”
Captain Ebrahim urges business people of Johannesburg to support this venture that can only contribute to a positive environment and help reduce crime.
He can be contacted on 084 587 8637.
Captain Ebrahim, Patroller and Manager of Polar Ice Cream.
Patroller outside Akhalwaya Take Aways on Hanover Street.
M & P Trikam.
Theba Function and hire in Fordsburg.
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