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November 1, 2013
Sale of All Blinds
Oxford Village
Patrols with a purpose >> Police and community join hands to thwart criminals KALISHA NAICKER
W
ITH a combination of courage, willpower and a dose of perseverance, the Kloof Street Patrollers was formed in an effort to fight crime “head-on” in the area. Outinfullforceonadailybasis, the group of concerned residents have taken a zero tolerance approach to crime. According to Cornè Broodryk, the Kloof Community Policing Forum deputy chairperson, the patrols started in April 2013 in response to an unacceptable rise in crime and murder. “As crime levels increased we discovered that criminals were coming into the area using the railway line, Kloof Gorge and many other channels that we were not policing,” said Broodryk. “I approached SAPS and partnered closely with them to become
the eyes and ears in our community.” The group started with eight patrollers but now have 70 dedicated residents who are eager to keep criminals at bay. He said the main objective of the patrol is to assist the police and create greater visibility. “The CPF has been working hand-in-hand with the Kloof police for many years, and this is just doubling our efforts,” he said. “We aim to assist where we can and I want to reiterate that we are in no way replacing the police - we are merely supplementing them.” Broodryk said that with almost 35 000 people living in Kloof, the patrollers divided the area into seven sectors. “Our patrols are generally two hour shifts. One can often see us standing at one of the 11 entrances into Kloof. “We often get calls from the community and even have a growing partnership with the security compa-
nies,” he said. “We are connected through twoway radios and have a very strict sign-on, sign-off policy and a Base (Sam) who keeps us on our toes. We drive around in well-marked and lit vehicles and mainly aim to be a visible deterrent to criminals wanting to come into the area.” Kloof SAPS sector commander, Bheki Mpungose, was pleased with the initiatives and said the police are only too happy with the help. “Police cannot be patrolling everywhere at once, and the more eyes and ears we have in the community the better,” he said. To join the street patrols or for more nformation, contact info@kloofcpf.co.za.
Corne Broodryk, the Kloof CPF deputy chair person, with Kloof police captain Bheki Mpungose.