Kempton Park – The Kempton Park Community Policing Forum (CPF) convened its quarterly meeting on Wednesday evening at the Civic Centre, drawing a significant turnout of residents, business owners, and representatives from the South African Police Service (SAPS) Kempton Park station. The meeting served as a platform to review current safety strategies and acknowledge the tangible impact of collaborative efforts in reducing local crime.

Key discussions focused on the success of the new 'Eyes on the Street' initiative, which encourages residents and businesses, particularly those operating near the industrial and logistics zones bordering OR Tambo International Airport, to report suspicious activities promptly. This initiative, coupled with increased visibility patrols by both SAPS and private security companies, has been credited with a notable decrease in reported business burglaries and vehicle-related crimes in areas like Rhodesfield and the CBD over the past quarter.

Lieutenant Colonel Sipho Ndlovu, Station Commander for SAPS Kempton Park, addressed the forum, commending the community's proactive involvement. "The partnership between SAPS and the Kempton Park CPF is crucial. We've seen a direct positive correlation between active community participation and our crime prevention success rates. Residents are our eyes and ears, and their willingness to share information has directly led to several arrests and the disruption of criminal networks operating within our district, especially those targeting cargo and warehousing facilities," stated Lt. Col. Ndlovu.

Future plans outlined at the meeting include expanding the Neighbourhood Watch network into additional residential areas and strengthening communication channels between the CPF and local businesses. The forum also committed to regular public awareness campaigns focusing on personal safety and cybersecurity, reflecting the evolving nature of crime in a technologically advanced environment like Kempton Park.