CCTV cameras could be roped into the fight against crime at potential hot-spots in the suburbs of Elfindale, Heathfield and Punts Estate.
At an imbizo held in the Elfindale Community Hall between local residents and the police on Wednesday, 23 August, residents tabled the idea of installing closed-circuit television cameras to watch over potential crime hot-spots.
Kevin Southgate, chairperson of the local Community Police Forum, said the suggestion at the meeting was that residents pay a monthly levy in exchange for this service.
Southgate said residents would have to enter into discussions with their local civic association and their respective ward councillors to discuss the viability of introdu?cing CCTV c?a?meras.
About 30 residents from Punts Estate, Elfindale and Heathfield attended the imbizo to share crime-fighting ideas with a representative from the Steenberg Police Station. The meeting was called to help forge a solid relationship between the Steenberg Police and the community.
The meeting also saw the re-launch of the Heathwatch Neighbourhood Watch, which will operate in the Heathfield, Elfindale and Punts Estate areas.
Southgate said he viewed this as a positive step towards reinforcing a partnership between residents and the police.
Inspector Adriaan Saulse from the Steenberg Police Station encouraged residents to report any incident of crime to the police, no matter how insignificant it might seem to them.
He also encouraged residents to inform the police of suspicious activities that they may see occurring in their neighbourhoods.
"Residents often think that their bit of information about crime-related matters might be unimportant, but to police it might just be the one missing piece they need to solve a crime," said Southgate.