MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay Municipality on Wednesday, 28 October, made history by embarking on a dedicated path to ensure a safer community.
A breakfast at the Garden Court Hotel attended by top officials in the safety sector, as well as mayors and municipal councillors from around the Garden Route marked the kick-off of a communications programme to inform the community and all the relevant stakeholders of the emphasis the Mossel Bay Municipal Council and Administration places on community safety.
"We aim to make Mossel Bay the safest community in South Africa – a safe haven for businesses to flourish, a safe environment for families to raise their children, a community where caring is a commonality," said acting mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé.
Kotzé explained that the reason for the focused approach to community safety is simple. "Mossel Bay Municipality is a caring local authority and very responsive to the amplified needs of our community. For some time now our community has lamented the rising crime statistics and has asked the municipality to respond to the concerns they have raised."
Although the municipality cannot fulfil the role of law enforcement agencies such sa the SA Police service, the various community policing forums, or the multitude of neighbourhood watch groups, they are acutely aware of the dire lack of resources that impede service delivery regarding community safety.
Bold step
Four police stations, three community policing forums, and more than 30 neighbourhood watch groups including seven farm watch groups operate within the greater Mossel Bay area.
The municipal council also recently established the Community Safety directorate. "The municipal council took a bold step to establish a dedicated portfolio to enhance the safety of our people. It is, however, imperative that we collectively change our mindset and create community buy-in into the community safety initiatives and plans for it to be successful."
Kotzé said that he is excited about the collaborative approach, following talks with the South African Police Service. Further discussions with the various police station command structures will follow.
"Another exciting feature that the community of law and order and safety jointly is looking forward to, is the establishment of a formal Joint Operations Centre. The objective is that this facility will allow for the joint monitoring of integrated camera and telemetric systems that will strengthen the hands of the law enforcement officers on the ground."
Kotzé referred to various successes that have been mooted in recent weeks with suspect vehicles being traced and perpetrators being apprehended, all due to a network of strategically placed high definition cameras that are effectively monitored.
"Following today's meeting, the municipality will consult with residents in every ward on the municipal community safety plan. We believe in effective two-way communication, public participation, and active community participation in achieving our goals. The community must become involved in greater numbers in a collaborative effort to stem the escalating tide of crime."
Kotzé concluded that the municipality realises that crime could be tackled in isolation. He emphasised that strategies to alleviate poverty and to create economic opportunities were undertaken concurrently.
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