Mitchell’s Plain’s top safety champions lauded at awards ceremony

The Mitchell’s Plain community police forum honoured safety champions serving as neighbourhood watch members, community in blue and police officers.

In his welcoming address, Norman Jantjies, chairperson of the CPF, acknowledged the work of the CPF partners, executive, sub-forums and neighbourhood watches.

“We want to acknowledge those people who have gone the extra mile making a difference in our area, who have shown commitment and passion to duty of fighting crime. Tonight we want to show them that we love and appreciate what they are doing,“ he said.

Mr Jantjies said the award recipients from the various neighbourhood watches were nominated by their peers, while the police officers were nominated by the community and in some instances, their managers.

He said the CPF is working closely with the police, the provincial department of police oversight and community safety (POCS) and the City to to demonstrate the power of partnership.

“Nobody can fight crime on his or her own. The police will never be able to make a difference on their own, neither can the community.

“It is all about the partnership, which is like a marriage, where there is a relationship and a level of trust, respect and accountability towards each other,” he said.

Brigadier Mark Hartzenberg, head of the Mitchell’s Plain policing sub-district, said the CPF’s tireless work in promoting safety, justice and unity is a beacon of hope in our society, more especially in Mitchell’s Plain.

“Your collaborative efforts with law enforcement and community safety organisations, especially our safety stakeholders have created a safer and more harmonious environment in Mitchell’s Plain, even if it doesn’t look like it. If it weren’t for your efforts, Mitchell’s Plain would have been worst off,” he said.

Brigadier Hartzenberg also congratulated the award recipients.

“Your dedication, perserverance and passion for community service are an inspiration to all of us, especially to us in the police and myself as the sub-district commissioner for Mitchell’s Plain. I am very glad to have you in our midst to fight crime with us.

“May this recognition fuel our continued efforts to build a better future for Mitchell’s Plain residents. Thanks for your unwavering commitment, volunteerism, expertise and resources,” he said.

Brigadier Hartzenberg also made special mention of the various community members for their selfless service.

“We honour the bravery and resilience of our community members and police, especially in the light that our community members are doing this voluntarily without receiving a cent, and for this I salute you.

“Let us recognise the power of collaborative action, if together, we are a greater force. Together we make a difference. If we go at it alone we will lose the fight against crime.

“Tonight we reaffirm our shared vision for a safer and more compassionate Mitchell’s Plain, and fostering a culture mutual respect, trust and co-operation,” he added.

Justin Lottering, deputy director of the Western Cape department of police oversight and community safety, said the awards ceremony was a culmination of the Mitchell’s Plain CPF working in an integrated manner with the police, neighbourhood watches and other safety stakeholders.

“It is not just about the CPF, but the relationship between the safety structures at the Mitchell’s Plain police and neighbourhood watches,” he said.

Marco Boer, the City’s area coordinator for neighbourhood watches, commended the neighbourhood watch award recipients for their hard work, dedication and going out late at night as volunteers.

Mr Boer urged local ward councillors to support neighbourhood watches by using of their ward allocation budget to purchase equipment they need to continue keeping communities safe.

"We encourage other line departments when they do earmark projects to first take from the neighbourhood watches simply because they are vetted, they are our partners and no strangers to us.

The neighbourhood watches have proven over the years that they are loyal partner. We encourage them to continue pressing on and to consider a career path in law enforcement when opportunities become available,“ Mr Boer said.