M/berg policing enhanced
“This is a very serious situation in the Manenberg area and it needs to be looked at frequently. Residents need to take their power back as our young children are being led in the wrong direction, with no support from their parents as to what is wrong and what is right. We need to step in and do something about it, along with the broader community, to prevent the neighbourhood from falling deeper into negativity,” he said.
Residents need to interact and start working together again, in order to get back on track with the community. “A few years back we used to have home guards in various areas. The people in the community would help us to ensure nothing untoward takes place in the area, especially with the youngsters," said Bennett.
"This was so effective way back and no one would dare to walk through certain areas because they would be to scared that we would expose them and tell their parents."
According to Bennett, there was no sense of togetherness within the community. "We are not as close as a community ought to be... we don’t even know our next door neighbours and we are not concerned about their struggles anymore. We need to care more about our people and see whats happening around us, but no, we keep on looking past it and just don’t care about each other anymore. All we are worried about is ourselves. And this is the reason why many young youth are sitting in prison,” he said.
“Many people look at us and say that we just want to lock up people and prosecute them for their wrong doings, but yet we as SAPS know that there are underlining issues that causes these things in communities. It is all simple things and that is why we want to make an awareness of how parents and the community play an important role when it comes to preventing these kinds of things,” he continued.
Communication
One of the main aims of the police is to form a partnership with the community as well as a strong partnership with the parents themselves. Parents are not communicating with their kids, and this is where things start to go wrong, Bennett said. He urged parents in the Manenberg area to start communicating with their children.“Communication is the most important thing in a household. We need to speak to our children at all times and see what it is that is bothering them. If we are not speaking to our kids, they will go out and get information they need to know, in other places...places that might not necessary be positive for them. Only you as the parent can tell your kids of the struggles and importance of making right decisions,” he said.
Bennett pointed out that many parents in the area are missing certain structures in their day to day lives. “With the community of Manenberg, things are starting to fall out of place and parents are reprimanding their kids in a negative way. When parents say they are strict with their kids, many of them refer to being vulgar, beating their kids up for anything, not taking any nonsense. They need to be reprimanded in a positive way. A child need recognition every day, when he comes from school or from his friends... ask what is it that is bothering. Make up that conversation with them as this creates a place for communication between the parents and child,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Manenberg policing precinct is conducting strict supervision, keeping a watchful eye at all three sectors, said Benett. “We have sections all over Manenberg with managers operating each and every day. Each of these three sectors has a vibrant manger that is willing to make a difference in the community. They know what it is like in the area and all three of them live within the area themselves, witnessing these things on a daily basis."
He said that with the support of residents in the neighbourhood, Manenberg could be decreasing crime amongst youth very soon. “Our success is based on volunteers and with the people who give their time to make the area a better and safe environment. They serve the people in this area free of charge and I’m grateful to say that this helps us tremendously. We are already seeing bits of improvement amongst youth and hopefully with more support from residents, we are likely to achieve our goals soon.”
Bennett urged the men in the community to come forward and help assist the female volunteers with their safety activities. “The mothers and wives of Manenberg are the ones who are going out and volunteering to keep children on a safe track. However, I am urging the men especially to come on board and help us. Take of your time to help make this area a safe and better environment for the community, especially our kids.”
If you would like to know more on how you can contribute towards the safety activities in Manenberg or if you would like to volunteer, you can contact Lieutenant Ian Bennett on 082 522 0714. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
No comments:
Post a Comment