CPF makes Lenasia’s streets safe

The Lenasia Community Policing Forum (CPF) was recently awarded for being the best CPF in Gauteng.

The crime fighters have ensured a drop-in crime in Lenasia Extensions 1 to 13, Thembelihle and Waterworks.

The Lenasia CPF’s chairperson Ebrahim Asvat said it has successfully combatted crimes such as robberies and hijackings in these areas, where the 540 member-strong team maintains vigilance all at times.

“We have successfully dropped the number of hijackings in the area,” Asvat confirmed.

The CPF also helped to combat robberies at the Lenasia train station. “We had many robberies there so we deployed patrollers to the station and robberies have dropped to zero,” he said.

The CPF does more than just patrol. Asvat said it runs several awareness campaigns, especially on what community members should do when they are aware of domestic abuse.

“We have a victim empowerment centre. We offer counselling and do a lot of support activities in the community,” he said.

The CPF is also tackling gender-based violence crimes, such as rape.

“We are aware of, for example, women who went to the shebeen and were raped when they left. We started awareness campaigns at shebeens and drinking houses, where we tell women that they shouldn’t be alone, but should rather stay in groups or make sure that someone stays with them,” said Asvat.

He added there has been a 30 to 40 percent drop in overall crimes committed in the Lenasia city centre. The CPF, which acts as the police’s eyes and ears in the community, says it reports crimes to the police when they happen.

 The CPF’s slogan is “partners in policing”. “We have a very good relationship with the police. At a crime scene, we just secure the scene and let the police do their work and they make the arrest,” he said.