Partnership policing is the answer to gang tensions in the Athlone area.
This is the main take away from Western Cape Minister for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen at a recent community meeting following the spate of shootings that has claimed the lives of several people and left the community in fear.
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“Community engagements are very important to us, as (they) offer residents the opportunity to directly raise their concerns with us. I am grateful to the Athlone community for their robust and insightful engagement,” says Allen.
“As the Western Cape Government, we continue to engage communities that have experienced sporadic shootings in recent times. We want to ensure that the violence and murders come to an end. We cannot have innocent people like this teenage girl, like the young children in Gugulethu, and many other examples, losing their lives in this manner.”
He continues that all involved have a collective responsibility to report those responsible for these crimes to ensure convictions.
“They do not belong in our communities as they do not have our best interest at heart. We have ensured that there will now be greater collaboration between Athlone police and the community, and the station commander made it clear that if there are any service-related issues, (they) should be brought to his immediate attention. This is the type of relationship that will ensure that criminality is unable to take root in any area,” says Allen.
The City’s safety and security departments are also joining police in fighting crime. “The City’s Law Enforcement and Metro Police Departments support the South African Police Service as the leading crime prevention authority. Residents can report criminal activities by phoning the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cell phone and 107 from a landline,” read a statement from the City.
