A business organisation and a neighbourhood watch will now work closely with the Bellville Community Police Forum (BCPF).
Forum chairman Hennie Koekemoer officially inducted the Tygerberg chapter of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bellrail Neighbourhood Watch at its final public meeting for the year on Thursday November 16.
“The chamber expressed interest in supporting the police and did this through recognition awards it presented to members of the police recently,” Mr Koekemoer said.
The chamber’s Pauline Nel, who is herself a neighbourhood watch member, said she was looking forward to working with the CPF. Mr Koekemoer said Bellrail watch had done a good job patrolling an area with several entrances and a lot of daily foot traffic.
“They may be a small group but their members are committed,” he said.
Mr Koekemoer said 15 people who were prepared to be volunteer commissioners of oath had submitted their documentation.
They would help to free up police officers for more urgent duties. There were three vacancies on the CPF’s executive, which the forum hoped to fill by early next year, said Mr Koekemoer.
“We are looking to expand our membership and have representatives from organisations sitting on the exco,” he said.
Mr Koekemoer said one of the CPF’s key achievements for the year had been improving “the experience of residents coming to Bellville police’s charge office”.
