Uniting Police and Community

Were you at the community meeting? Stacy Moreland, Tamsin Green and Sarah Cohen report

On Saturday the 17 October a group of Rhodes journalism students, having completed their investigation of crime in Currie Park, Oatlands North and Somerset Heights, were ready to present their findings to the community. Having distributed 400 fliers advertising the event and hung posters in all three neighbourhoods a substantial turnout was hoped for. As 11am approached it became apparent that this was not to be – attendance was disappointing.

Those present expressed frustration at the evident apathy of their neighbours. A few criticised the isolated mentality of suburban living as a major obstacle to reducing crime. While researching their articles, sound slides and documentary the students had found that residents were highly preoccupied with the perceived failings of the police as well as fears for the safety of their families and property - yet few are willing to engage with these fears in a meaningful way. Sadly this perception was reinforced by the poor response to Saturday’s meeting.

Despite this Inspector Milanda Coetzer of the SAPS gave a very thorough presentation to those attending . Accompanied by Sergeant Gay Mackenzie (the newly appointed head of Sector Three) she responded to residents complaints concerning a lack of visible policing. To place crime in Somerset Heights, Oatlands North and Currie Park in relative perspective week by week statistics clearly revealed that, while the CBD and Grahamstown East experience high instances of serious and violent crimes, the three neighbourhoods in question often went without a single reported incident. Of course this may demonstrate a lack of faith in the justice system rather than the reality of crime in these communities. Those attending freely admitted that the only reason they felt compelled to report crime was because insurance required them to do so. They described the process of reporting as a frustrating one in which they spent hours at the police station dealing with an inefficient administrative system. Inspector Coetzer stressed that if residents don’t report crime more time and resources will not be devoted to policing their area as the crime prevention system focuses on ‘hotspots’ throughout the town.

Inspector Coetzer’s statistics also revealed a worrying trend. As wealthier suburbs increasingly rely on Hi-Tech to secure their homes criminals are choosing to risk confronting surprised civilians rather than a team of armed response guards. Homes are being targeted between six and nine at night when it is likely that the occupants are at home and alarms are deactivated, obviously at greater risk to their safety. Inspector Coetzer also reminded residents that the biggest concern for the broader area of Grahamstown West is the theft of laptops, a million rand of which has already been reported stolen this year.

In conclusion Inspector Coetzer stressed that she found students’ initiative very helpful as there are few forums in which the Grahamstown community can effectively air their concerns. She asked those listening to remember that the policemen and women of Grahamstown are members of the community too and their concern for the safety and security of Grahamstown should not be doubted.