South - South Crime Prevention Project
| Project Co-ordinator, Southern Africa Dr Elrena van der Spuy Institute of Criminology, University of Cape Town Private Bag Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town Tel.: +27 21 650 2988 Fax: +27 21 650 3790 Email: Elrena.VanDerSpuy@uct.ac.za |
Project Co-ordinator, Caribbean Professor Anthony Harriott Head, Department of Government University of West Indies Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica Tel. + (876) 512 3357 Fax + (876) 927 0997 Email: anthonydharriott@yahoo.com |
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Community Policing
Community Policing in Southern Africa
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“Safer Streets” Programme
“The "Safer Streets" project was established to create a safe and secure environment for the people in Pietermaritzburg, in light of the rising crime rate. Emphasis is placed on addressing the root causes of crime rather than the symptoms of crime and hence a shift was made from being re-active to being
pro-active. As a result ongoing Crime Prevention Operations in the Pietermaritzburg Central Area were intensified. The Station Bicycle Squad is utilised to enhance visible policing and promote social crime prevention. Project THROB was initiated to police nightclubs and liquor outlets in an attempt to target teenagers under 18 years. The Station GOCOC-Structure, based on the National Crime Prevention Strategy documents, was established. They discuss matters of Social Crime Prevention and established task teams to facilitate the process. Sector policing has already proven to be successful. The concept involves dividing the policing area into smaller, more manageable sizes. The project management proceeded to get all the major role players involved. The success of the project lies in the fact that the organisations involved feel that they own the project. The project has made significant progress. For the period April 2000 to February 2001 they have recorded a decrease of 6,2% in serious crimes. April-July 2001 shows a decrease of 39% in the More Preventable Crimes category and a 12,6% decrease in the serious cases reported. Three shoplifting gangs have been arrested and gamblers have been displaced out of the Central Business District (CBD). The street children project has been a great success. The issue of prostitution is addressed by promoting skills development and employment. Liquor and second-hand goods outlets are regularly checked to ensure that they comply with the law. The reduction in crime has created customer confidence, which has encouraged local and foreign investment in the CBD. A number of small businesses have been established which created more job opportunities. It is imperative that all role players concerned remain on board. Unfortunately funding will be a problem due to budget constraints in government departments. A monthly GOCOC meeting is held to ensure the continuity of various projects.”(http://www.impumelelo.org.za/projects_fs.htm accessed on 1February 2005).
For a review of the project, see Impumelelo Innovations Awards Trust (forthcoming) Best Practice: Justice and Crime.
Contact Details:
Address: Private Bag X9068 Pietermaritzburg 3200
Telephone: 033 845 2424 / 083 791 3340
Email: loopstr-saps@saps.org.za
Contact person: Ms P Maharaj Nelson Mandela Metro Safety and Security Programme | Pietermaritzburg-Msunduzi Anti-crime Network
Best Practice Projects
Our Project focuses on crime prevention activities that fall within the following themes:
| Community Policing: | |
| - | Southern Africa |
| - | Caribbean |
| Violence Prevention: | |
| - | Southern Africa |
| - | Caribbean |
| Conflict Resolution/Culture of Legality: | |
| - | Southern Africa |
| - | Caribbean |
| Offender Reintegration: | |
| - | Southern Africa |
| - | Caribbean |
Click on a theme to view examples of independently reviewed/evaluated best practice projects from Southern African and the Caribbean.
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