Archive for the ‘Letters -Editor’ Category

As 2011 steadily draws to an end, one can be forgiven for wondering where we are headed. For many, it has been a tough year, but despite the downside, I believe we have much to look forward to for 2012. We will be facing new challenges I’m sure.
Despite the inevitable criticism of the police from certain quarters, we can be very thankful that they have played a major role in combating crime in our highway area. We can be truly proud of the work achieved under very difficult circumstances while being grossly understaffed. Thanks too to the security companies namely ADT and Blue and others, who have been pulling out all the stops and doing an excellent job working together with police and community. Also to be commended are organizations such as Open Door Crisis Centre, Careline and SafetyNet for assisting and helping those who have had problems, trauma and bad experiences. The dedication of these people has to be much appreciated and admired.
Our heartfelt thanks to all our loyal advertisers, sponsors and contributors who have supported us over the year and made our magazine possible.
May I also take this opportunity to wish everyone a good Christmas and holiday festive season, and thank all those who contribute in some way to make our environment a better place to live in.

by Richard Palmer                 email: richard@crimezero.co.za

With the year rapidly drawing to a close, its time to take note of what progress has been made in combating crime. Judging from the good turnout at some CPF meetings, the message to get the community involved in reporting suspicious events, is slowly beginning to pay off. This month’s edition has a record number of ‘Busts of the Month’ many of them due to tip-offs from the public. Grateful thanks go to all those businesses supporting this venture. Well done also, to those who supplied valuable information to the police.
While the CPF meetings have been well attended, this is sometimes due to more people being affected by crime. It must be stressed that these meetings are to inform and encourage the community of what is happening in their areas and what to do in an emergency etc, and NOT a ‘complaints forum’. Certain members of the public are using these meetings to complain. This is not the object. While it is understood, there may well be things to complain about, we urge you not to bring these up during the meeting by prolonging the whole procedure. Rather speak directly first to the station commander when you have a grievance. This would be appreciated and help to keep proceedings in order.
Grateful thanks again to all those who are supporting the CrimeZero initiative with articles, advertising and sponsorship.

by Richard Palmer       richard@crimezero.co.za

As we move into Spring, we would once again like to thank all those responsible for making this publication possible with their support, namely our advertisers, sponsors, letters, printers, the police and all those who contribute with valuable and outstanding articles.
Let’s not forget the main reason for our magazine is to bring police and community together. We need the involvement of the community and business, or we will never have a reduction in crime. I was recently astounded by the extent some people will go ‘not’ to get involved. An elderly man was recently robbed while leaving the bank in central Westville. Police rushed to the scene and cordoned it off to collect clues to conduct an investigation. Despite a dozen or more witnesses, not ONE was willing to make a statement. The final blow came when the ‘victim’ himself was not interested in opening a case!  How are we going to beat crime with attitudes like this? Read the rest of this entry »

by Richard Palmer

The positive response to Crime Zero has been extremely encouraging and we are seeing more involvement by the community judging from the letters we have received. While we realise Crime Zero is only one small step in the right direction to creating a better place for all, we encourage everyone to do something, no matter how big or small.
So much depends on the approach of the community itself. Just by approaching the relevant departments, whether in the police or municipality, in a decent manner about problems, a lot more can be achieved, rather than making demands. Let’s strive to get to know and cooperate with the people responsible for keeping and maintaining our areas as it should be. Let’s bring back the pride of knowing that this is a good place to live in!
The police work under very difficult conditions. There has sadly been an increase in the number of deaths of police lately which obviously must affect their morale not to mention their usual shortages of staff and equipment.
Let’s get to know the people around us.  What a difference this can make. We can make a point of speaking positive remarks rather than latching onto the negative. The difference between success and failure as we all know, often lies very much in our own attitudes in setting the tone for a better environment. It’s time we realised just how much we have and started to make it work for us and not against us.

by Richard Palmer                                            email: richard@crimezero.co.za

As we move on into April, CrimeZero has many possibilities in the pipeline for the future which we will gradually unfold as things develop.  As with most publications, there is a time to review the situation and decide where we are going. So far, the magazine has been extremely well received in every area it has appeared. Our focus still remains, to make a difference in the community by bringing police and community together in our fight against crime. We, at CrimeZero, believe in not only supporting the police but also holding them accountable when we receive complaints. Its far more beneficial to all concerned if the community go through the correct channels to sort out issues rather than contacting the local newspaper with a list of negatives.
In this issue we have focussed on “cleaning up Westville” and much time and effort has been made by the CPF to meet with Ethekwini heads of department to address the problem of inadequate services to Westville in particular. In future issues we would like to do the same in other areas like Pinetown.  The article by Jennie Pender-Smith is a typical example how an unkept, untidy area can encourage crime and just by contacting the right people how the problem can be solved. Thank you to all the businesses, schools and residents that have showed such enthusiasm and commitment to the “Keep Westville Beautiful” project.

by Richard Palmer

It is hard to believe that we are already well into 2011 and CrimeZero is almost one year old! So what sort of a year has it been as far as the magazine is concerned? Very interesting to say the least. I have discovered that we are indeed fortunate to have the police force that we have. With all the problems, excitement and events that took place during 2010, they have done us proud. It is time for us to take the positive approach and acknowledge just how much is being done and put a stop to the prophets of doom.

The message is about what we can put in and not what we can get out. Working together and taking responsibility is without doubt the only way to achieve a better and safer environment to live in. Yes, there are areas for improvement, especially in some areas of municipality like grass cutting, street lighting for instance and these I’m sure, will be investigated. Again, it’s a case of placing people in positions where they will take responsibility. Let’s hope the new system of blacklisting companies that don’t carry out their tasks properly will have a positive effect. Overall, we also hope CrimeZero can play a part in bringing awareness where these improvements are required.

Crime, sadly, is a world wide problem, but we believe that much can be achieved in the area of prevention by getting involved and working together. CrimeZero is just one small tool that can help in bringing the people together, the rest is up to us.

As we move into our 6th edition, I am pleased to report that we are receiving positive input from the community and we are receiving positive input from the community and we are gradually receiving more support from business in the form of advertising and sponsorship. Thank you to all those people. Due to increased demand for CrimeZero to move up the Highway, this edition has increased to 20000 copies to include the Hillcrest area and their CPF.

Lately there has been much focus on the high crime in Pinetown. This is a complex situation and there definitely is room for much improvement amongst the police and community with a more co-operative spirit on both sides. We can continue complaining and blaming each other, or we can do something positive about it. The choice is ours.

This edition of Crime Zero will take us through the festive season where the police will be stretched as they work overtime to ensure our safety in our homes and on the road. Please help by taking extra care and precautions as you shop and travel. So many problems can be avoided by taking a few small precautions here and there.  For example, don’t leave your car exposed in the car park full of merchandise; Be careful where you park; be aware of what is happening around you etc.
Get involved, get focused and together we can all make it happen. Let’s all do our bit to make this a special time for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. We at CrimeZero wish you all a wonderful and safe festive season.
For comments please email richard@crimezero.co.za

I was recently asked how I became involved with Crime Zero. Having always had a desire to do something to improve the existing crime situation in our area, Shirley and I attended a CPF meeting to find out more. This initiated a prayer meeting in the police station itself to encourage the police and appreciate them for what they do. More than 3 years later these meetings still take place completely on a voluntary basis. From here, we were approached to make suggestions on how we can get the community involved, and, to cut a long story short, Crime Zero was born.

The vision for Crime Zero is not only about safety and do’s and don’ts, but also about taking responsibility, getting involved, getting to know your neighbour and simply changing our mind sets which can improve the environment in which we live.
Our policing services are desperately understaffed and many of the problems in South Africa are not just policing issues, but social ones.  This puts the ball back in our court!

Our aim is to offer a quality magazine that is both informative and interesting to read, with participation for the whole family. The children’s competitions every 2nd month have been well supported. Thank you to all those who are helping to make this magazine a success.

It is hard to believe that we are already into our fourth edition of Crime Zero and still growing. It has been rewarding to see the response to the magazine as distinguished writers have come forward to offer top class articles on all aspects of crime, from the origination, prevention, to good sound advice.
From September, Crime Zero will become a monthly magazine which now includes the Pinetown CPF. Due to the positive input received so far, it will now cover Westville and Pinetown up to Kloof.
We have some excellent articles in this edition with focus on the awareness of Human Trafficking.    This, sadly, is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. You may feel that you don’t want to hear about it, but it is happening right here and it is our duty to get this message out there, loud and clear, to our youth who are the main targets of this evil. We /they need to be aware of false advertising that lures the unsuspecting victims into this form of modern slavery. Be wary of classified advertising in newspapers as well as jobs advertised on the internet. Treat everything with suspicion until proven otherwise
Once again, our thanks to the community and our advertisers for their positive input, which we believe is already making a difference.

It is hard to believe that we are already into our fourth edition of Crime Zero and still growing. It has been rewarding to see the response to the magazine as distinguished writers have come forward to offer top class articles on all aspects of crime, from the origination, prevention, to good sound advice.
From September, Crime Zero will become a monthly magazine which now includes the Pinetown CPF. Due to the positive input received so far, it will now cover Westville and Pinetown up to Kloof.
We have some excellent articles in this edition with focus on the awareness of Human Trafficking.    This, sadly, is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. You may feel that you don’t want to hear about it, but it is happening right here and it is our duty to get this message out there, loud and clear, to our youth who are the main targets of this evil. We /they need to be aware of false advertising that lures the unsuspecting victims into this form of modern slavery. Be wary of classified advertising in newspapers as well as jobs advertised on the internet. Treat everything with suspicion until proven otherwise
Once again, our thanks to the community and our advertisers for their positive input, which we believe is already making a difference.