Manenberg SAPS targets commuters to spread child safety message
Manenberg SAPS, the Community Police Forum, Law Enforcement and Traffic Services hosted an integrated crime awareness programme at Nyanga Junction transport hub to kick-start its holiday programme.
The event, on Wednesday September 18, also had the Western Cape Police Band entertain the crowd who gathered there.
Manenberg SAPS spokesperson, Captain Ian Bennett, said children are especially vulnerable during the school holidays, with many being left with no adult supervision, which could lead to gang initiation or other social ills.
“Child safety is a national priority but it seems a daunting task to commit the community to guarantee the safety of children. Manenberg SAPS has noticed a steady increase in contact crime which include assaults with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), common assault and sexual assaults. This destroys family values and children are left vulnerable. Children emulate what they see. Their moral values are associated by the violent behaviour of others. Gangs use stone throwing as a means to recruit children creating a platform for violent behaviour,” Captain Bennett said.
This is among the reasons why SAPS introduced various crime prevention projects and holiday programmes, he said, adding that the programme at Nyanga Junction was a new approach.
“This approach was a new way of bringing the services to the community — bringing a different flare to crime prevention awareness. The aim was to bring the services to the community that's on the move. We have devised social crime programmes creating awareness, on child safety, stranger danger, five golden rules, teenage safety. We also do spiritual crime prevention through building conscience, promoting proper and moral choices, showing the importance of being spiritually strengthened to be morally secured, trying to steer young people away from bad worldly choices that often seem as easy life choices.
SAPS has now also introduced the Junior Commissioner programme so the youth can have direct insight to the inner workings of SAPS. Also to allow the youth to speak out so we can be educated and to change the ever-changing mindsets of young people. Traffic Services did road safety around children.”
Anyone wanting to get involved with crime awareness programmes can contact:
Captain Tshomi, Sector 2 Manager and Spiritual Crime Prevention
079 894 1479
Sergeant Landers, Secor 3 Manager, trauma counselling and missing persons Prevention
082 379 1535.
Sergeant Kayster, Sector 1 Manager, Youth Desk and Social Crime Prevention
082 379 1636.