Good morning, I would like to compliment Douglasdale SAPS on excellent service I received on Thursday April 26, 2012. I was about to leave for a job interview when I double checked the documents needed and realised that I needed them to be certified.

Douglasdale SAPS was the closest place for me to get this done. I arrived at 9.05am and explained my predicament, two officers did the certification in double quick time and I was on my way by 9.10am.

This may seem like a very small thing, but it is something like this that can make a big difference, and ensured I was at Milpark in time for my interview at 10am. Unfortunately, I didn?t have time to get the names of the officers involved, but would like to express my thanks anyway.

The group started with just one caring counsellor in 2007 and has since grown to eight dedicated counsellors.

The trauma counsellors provide basic emotional support to anyone who has been a victim of crime, by helping them to learn how to cope and deal with the effects and nature of their trauma. Being a victim of crime can have a terribly debilitating effect on one and if left unchecked may lead to long-term symptoms such as depression, mistrust, anger and low self-esteem.

People often also struggle with feelings of hopelessness, loss of power and anxiety around their immediate safety. Timely intervention in the form of trauma counselling can make a huge difference when trying to come to terms with what has happened and acquire the necessary coping mechanisms to pull through such an event.

The types of incidents we provide trauma counselling for includes, but is not limited to, rape, hijacking, armed robbery and domestic violence. We will also assist as much as possible with referrals to the correct organizations to assist any individual should their need lie outside the scope of short-term trauma counselling.

The DVS trauma counsellors operate on a shift basis so that we are able to provide this service for walk-ins from the general public seven days a week, 24hrs a day by appointment.

Should you require trauma counselling, call our dedicated trauma line on 078 850 2341

As a volunteer group, we to rely on funding and at times have had to rely solely on the generosity of fellow volunteers, who so freely give of their time and expertise.

There are many such Volunteer Victim Support Units found at Police Stations all over the country. Please don?t hesitate to contact one closest to you if you wish to assist those who assist others, or need support.

We urge you to share this information with those around you, to make them aware of this valuable service that is available to them following a traumatic situation.

Details: 078-850-2341

Two Blandford Road residents, the CPF Sector 4 secretary (Ruth Fleming) and I attended a CPF Sector 6 meeting on Monday night, April 16, where we reported incidents and requested SAPS support. Cable theft has been amongst the problems experienced on this road.

Ward 115 residents that live in Jukskei Park, Johannesburg North, Olivedale, North Riding and Noorhang are serviced by the Sector 6 Community Police Forum, which is a community-police partnership that enables residents to participate in reducing crime by becoming the eyes and ears of the police force, and by reporting crime and suspicious activity to 10111, followed by a call to your local police station.

The CPF for the Douglasdale Precinct is launching a neighbourhood watch and community patrols. Resident’s participation in their areas will make all the difference.

Crime falls outside of the mandate of local government and local government ward councillors. Crime is the mandated responsibility of provincial and national government and must be reported to SAPS.

However, I participate where I am able to because it is my belief that every one of us can help to reduce crime by being vigilant, getting involved in CPF events and activities, and using the SAPS call centre 10111.

For more information, contact the chair of CPF 6, resident Margaret van Zweiten, on vanzwietenm@out.co.za and go to www.ddcpf.co.za

Each sector of the Douglasdale CPF holds monthly community-police meetings. The residents who attend CPF meetings and drive CPF events are all volunteers.

Just a short note to express the heartfelt appreciation of the residents of Thulabos for the time and energy you invested in clearing the vacant land adjacent to Thulabos and arranging for the raids to take place.

Please be assured that all residents at Thulabos are extremely thankful for your help.

Yours faithfully

Thulabos Body Corporate

I visited the Douglasdale Police Station on Sunday, 15 April around 16:30.

My experience there was nothing but an enjoyable one. I need to obtain an affidavit and the staff, every one of them, was so polite, professional and friendly.

This should be a flagship station so many other stations can learn.

Keep up the great work!

Yours sincerely,

Douglasdale Resident

Sector 6 challenged the police to a re-match and this year they brought the trophy back home. The trophy will be kept at Olivedale Super Spar the main sponsor of the event!

Olivedale Super Spar sponsored prizes for the first, second and third winner in each of the four categories, 10km Run, 5km run, 10km walk and the 5km walk, including a prize for the youngest and oldest participant.

In addition, they sponsored all the race numbers, signboards, toilets, water tables, water, ice, bins and ensured that the route was cleaned afterwards. The Bar-One Manhunt sponsored four Bar-One hampers as well as Bar-One chocolates for all the runners.

Dogs who participated in the races all received a Hill’s goodie bag and there were some beautiful spot prizes – designer dog accessories, beds and bowls from SWAG Pets Boutique and bags of pet food, toys, collars and leads from Pets Eats ‘n TreatS at All Saints Shopping Centre . The water stops for dogs were sponsored by Northern Joburg Media.

The Olivedale Craft Market were there selling homemade crafts and food, RSS sponsored a kiddies corner with a jumping castle and face painting, they were also selling boerewors rolls and cool drinks and looked after all the Sector 6 VIP guests. They also sponsored food and drinks for 40 police officers.

Londoloza Protection group cordoned off the roads and looked after the security of all vehicles parked. Jason and team provided support. ADT provided additional patrols onto the adjutant roads. Think Bike marshalled the event, Remax 100 Fourways and Rawson Properties assisted with the water stations along the route.

Emer-G-Med had paramedics on site and along the route in case of any injuries, Special Images Hair Salon supplied water for the dogs at one of the water stations. Mark Annett and team from Norscott running club, handled out all the medals at the finishing line.

Other sponsors of this event were Sentient Beings, Crime Line, Deals4You, Lead SA, 94.7, EWN and Primedia.

All in all it was a wonderful morning enjoyed by all.

There was an armed robbery and shooting at the Leaping Frog Shopping Centre in Fourways, at around 6.40pm on Saturday evening, April 22, 2012.

It is alleged that eight armed men first hijacked a vehicle at the McDonalds on William Nicole, the suspects then went to the Leaping Frog Shopping Centre where they held up the pharmacy and assaulted the owner.

They then entered the Checkers and again held up the staff and customers; they broke open some of the cash boxes and robbed customers of their wallets, car keys and cellphones. As the suspects were fleeing the scene, they split into different directions in the car park, they then hijacked several vehicles.

An off duty paramedic heard the commotion and while phoning for help, the suspects drove passed and opened fire, fortunately he was not injured.

A victim, who was driving around the circle at the entrance to the Leaping Frog, saw the suspects running towards him with their firearms drawn as well as the police approaching. He jumped out of his vehicle and the suspects got in and started driving away, police gave chase and a shootout ensured, the victim hid behind a police vehicle for safety.

A police vehicle was shot at and an officer was slightly injured, a piece of shrapnel flew up when a bullet hit his vehicle, cutting his nose.

RSS Control Room received a panic signal from the guards working at Leaping Frog Shopping Centre in Lonehill. RSS provides Armed Response to a guarding company working in the complex. Upon arrival at the shopping centre parking lot, the RSS Reaction Vehicle came under fire and the Reaction Officer immediately called for backup while returning fire. The RSS vehicle was shot four times, thankfully the guard was uninjured.

RSS Control Room sent three other Reaction Vehicles as well as the Reaction Field Manager and the RSS Medical team.

Waiters from TSG heard the commotion and immediately closed the doors of the restaurant and grabbed the children and took them to the back to keep them safe. Patrons dinning at TSG told the owner they were very impressed with the waiters and the way they handled the situation.

Three of the suspects were arrested at the centre, there was a huge police presence including the Air Wing, Organised Crime Unit, Tactical Response, Detectives, a full deployment from Douglasdale SAPS, security officers, paramedics from Emer-G-Med and the K9 Unit at the scene.

Douglasdale Victim Support was on scene councilling the traumatised victims, one lady collapsed from shock and was taken to hospital.

Several others were also hospitalised due to shock.

The event will take place at the Robyn Park, Jukskei Park, on Sunday April 22, at 8am.

They have challenged the Douglasdale police station to a re-match and with your help; they are hoping to bring the trophy back home.

There will be a craft market and lots of activities for the kids so please join us. Dogs on leads are most welcome.

Entry fee is R50 per adult (children under 12 free). Please register on their website http://www.sector6.co.za

They are also looking for volunteers, so anyone interested please contact us on info@sector6.co.za.

Looking forward to seeing everybody on Sunday and who is the going to be the winner?

A New Social Partnership Police and Community

As law enforcement techniques and laws evolve, so do criminals in their criminal activity and as such a community needs to also evolve in its approach to defeating crime. One aspect of the battle against crime is the issue of community loyalty and participation. As with unconventional warfare, the success of the fight against crime depends heavily on the loyalty and support of the community.

The resources of any police force are finite even in the most sophisticated of nations and societies. Our South African Police Service is no exception. What makes the difference in policing capability between successful crime prevention or apprehension of perpetrators of crime often lies in the hands of the community the police service serves such as our own community. This is not a season in the fight against crime to indulge in politics, agendas or differences of any kind. Where a community stands united in its stance on an issue such as crime, it follows that instead of criminals facing a few hundred police officers and detectives in our precinct, they are facing the entire community.

It is true that issues of mistrust and frustration arising out of sub-standard policing or police abuse, whether actual or perceived, do hamper community interaction with their police service but by far the greatest challenge actually comes from community apathy. The “I couldn’t care less” or” if it doesn’t affect me it’s not an issue” approaches are deadly attitudes on the part of community members in the fight against crime especially at this time in our nation. Would you want your neighbours to adopt such attitudes if you found yourself a victim of crime? It’s time for a new social partnership between the police and the community.

In the case of the former, policing standards must be monitored and challenged where appropriate and the police service encouraged to strive for and achieve higher standards of service delivery.  In the case of community participation in the fight against crime, I’m challenging every reader of this article, in my capacity as Chair of the Douglasdale Community Policing Forum, to get involved… report police abuse or misbehaviour so we can improve our standards of policing and report all crime or suspicious activity directly to the police immediately you become aware of same so we can defeat criminals in our area.

The Douglasdale Community Policing Forum, like other community policing forums, is a creature of statute and is the civilian oversight body to the police in the local precinct. It reports to jointly to the Police and MEC Community Safety and operates under a Cluster and Provincial Body. Whilst station commanders report to their respective line commanders, the station commanders are directly accountable to their Community Policing Forums. As such your community policing forum, unlike other bodies or organizations, is the lawfully empowered instrument  to address policing issues community members may have and I urge such members to make use of the capabilities of the Forum should such policing issues arise.

Our website may be viewed at www.ddcpf.co.za and e mails sent to jean@execucorp.co.za or  sharonobrien@telkomsa.net and get involved.

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Firstly the members of the South African Police Service are sworn to serve and protect community members and have been placed in a privileged position insofar as the law is concerned to deal with crime and criminals. The vast majority of our men and women in blue are dedicated professionals that risk their lives daily to carry out their duties to protect us all and enforce the law. Their tasks are often difficult, dangerous, frustrating and thankless. They need our support, co-operation and encouragement.

That said, there are unfortunately one or a few individuals who for whatever reason, elect to abuse their position of trust in our community in various ways and this is simply not to be tolerated in any manner. One should be careful to separate allegations of abuse of powers from the opinions of others who may be on the receiving end of legitimate police actions and are making statements based on their reactions thereto from genuine cases of Police abuse of powers. Should you be or become aware of any Police abuse of powers then you have a duty to report this and the following steps must be taken:

1. If you find yourself in a position where you become or are of the clear opinion you are about to become a victim of police abuse of powers calmly but firmly insist on your rights and point out that you must be dealt with lawfully and on seeing the senior officer in charge. Do not be frightened into unlawful acts based on a threat of arrest or fines;

2. Insist on seeing identification cards and make notes of the details thereof… this is often a powerful deterrent to abuse;

3. Rather accept the fine and deal with the abuse later than be forced into an unlawful act to avoid the issuing of the fine;

4. Try to get to a public place such as police station, garage, shops etc as it is far less likely that any abuses will be carried out in the presence of others;

5. Record conversations on phones or take pictures or call for help as soon as possible;

6. As soon as possible go and make a full report at a police station of the incident in question setting out as much details as you can. Remember without a report there is little the authorities can do to bring any police abuse under investigation and hold the perpetrator responsible;

7. Get full references and keep copies of all statements and other evidence in a file and make sure you enquire regularly on investigation progress. The Community Policing Forum is specifically authorised in law to monitor police service delivery to the public and can assist with inquiries on investigative follow up.

Police abuse is simply not to be tolerated in any form. However, the Douglasdale Community Policing Forum wishes to re assure our community that our brave men and women in blue are there serving us and that abuse is by far the absolute exception to the rule of the dedicated and selfless service our Police Officers perform each and every day.