- A recent shooting at Howard Centre has left the Pinelands community concerned about safety.
- The Pinelands CPF has called for increased community involvement and collaborative efforts to ensure security.
- Residents are encouraged to join the CPF in upcoming meetings to address safety strategies and prevent future incidents.
The recent shooting incident at Howard Centre has left the community shaken, prompting a heartfelt response from the Pinelands Precinct Community Police Forum (CPF).
The incident, on Monday 14 October, resulted in a victim being hospitalised, and the CPF has since expressed deep concerns for the victim and their family, while calling for heightened community safety measures.
Marietta Hopley, the spokesperson for the CPF, conveyed the forum’s solidarity in a public statement, stating: “In times like these, we need to come together and work collaboratively for the greater good. Only through unity and shared responsibility can we ensure the ultimate safety and security of our community.”
The shooting has served as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive security strategies across the Pinelands area.
The CPF, which plays a pivotal role in fostering local safety and building collaborative relationships between residents, businesses and the police, has emphasised the importance of strengthened community engagement.
“Security is not just about responding to incidents but proactively creating an environment where these events are less likely to occur,” Hopley added.
“We urge the community to recognise this incident as a call to action. The need for collaboration among all sectors of society, including businesses, residents and security stakeholders, has never been greater.”
Actively participate
The Pinelands CPF is committed to enhancing both spatial and social planning to ensure a safer, more secure environment across the precinct.
In this light, the forum is calling on those who have not yet joined to become members and actively participate in safeguarding their community.
Residents and stakeholders are invited to engage directly with the CPF at their next event, the Pinelands police’s imbizo, on Saturday 23 November, from 10:00 to noon at the South African Centre for the Netherlands and Flanders’s Huis der Nederlanden, 4 Sentral Square, Pinelands.
The gathering will focus on discussions around safety and security matters, providing a platform for the public to voice concerns and offer input on future strategies.
“The more voices we have, the stronger our community can be,” said Hopley. “Your involvement is critical in shaping the strategies and actions that will protect and secure our precinct.”
As investigations into the shooting continue, the CPF remains in close communication with the Pinelands police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure justice.
The community is encouraged to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation, with the Pinelands police victim support team available to offer support to those directly affected by the incident.
The CPF also commended the swift and coordinated response of the police, emergency medical services, and local CID patrollers, whose efforts were vital in ensuring the situation was managed effectively.
“As a community, we must stand united in the face of adversity,” Hopley concluded. “Together, we can create a network of support that not only responds to incidents but also works to prevent them.”
For more information on joining the CPF, residents can contact the secretary via email at secretary@cpfpinelands.co.za.
