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'Law enforcement not enough'
05/07/2007 19:22 - (SA)
Cape Town - The latest crime statistics reinforce the view that a law-enforcement approach is not a sufficient response to crime, although it is a necessary first step, said Nicro on Thursday.
The National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (Nicro) said: "Responses to crime also require a social crime prevention response, which is long term, as well as an environmental approach."
It was estimated that at least two-thirds of all contact crimes were linked to anti-social behaviour patterns, such as drug and alcohol abuse, and that between 59% and 89% of contact crimes occurred among people who knew each other.
These two characteristics would support the view that a large part of the response to crime was outside the policing domain.
Responses to crime should crucially include social development responses focusing on areas, such as strengthening families, supporting education and training, facilitating health and housing services, upgrading the quality of township life, and creating training and employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
Successful police detection and investigation
Notwithstanding the efforts of the government, service delivery remained problematic, and it was clear many of the strategies were not as effective as they should be at grassroots levels.
Nicro said: "In the recent past, we have seen protest action by residents to raise awareness regarding this deficiency."
Crime prevention and detection were not only a function of the criminal justice system, but included community participation.
Successful police detection and investigation, and successful prosecution and convictions depended on community participation.
All perpetrators belonged to families and communities.
Musn't degenerate into anarchy
Not only did communities and families "produce" perpetrators, but there was always someone in the community or family who knew the details of the misdeed or the perpetrator.
"A paradigm shift in communities is required which promotes the breaking of the silence."
Initiatives, such as the recent Mitchell's Plain and Manenberg community initiatives were important milestones in this fight against crime.
Not only was there a new spirit of courage and activism against criminal activity, but community partnership with police had been institutionalised.
Provided that this kind of initiative remained within the bounds of lawful activity and did not degenerate into anarchy and violent vigilantism it was to be commended, said Nicro.
- SAPA
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