Adhering to the customs of holding annual safety awareness workshops at Lakeside Mall, the law enforcement department entirety fulfilled its duty. On the 11th of November 2022, organizations such as iThemba, Lifeline, Benoni SAPS, FCS, and Road Traffic Infringement Agency(RTIA) amongst others were there to inform and conduct safety awareness, so that people could know more about their organizations and how they can receive help from them.
Due to the unfortunate lack of trust and collaboration between law-abiding citizens and the law enforcement department, the responsibility to keep communities safe and crime-free has been lying too heavily on the shoulders of the law enforcement department solely. This has also been one of the reasons why crime rates have been maintaining their momentum.
“Those who are knowledgeable of the law must inform and educate communities to play a better role in protecting each other” explained Khothatso Koopedi, who is an officer from the Ekurhuleni mayoral office.
With the aid of multiple informative pamphlets, the civilians of the community would be able to arm themselves with knowledge on how to prevent themselves from being victims of crime and also protect themselves during unexpected crime encounters.
“It is a good thing that the law enforcement department is reminding people of how to protect themselves,” said Angle Modipane, who was just a regular shopper.
This particular event was evidently one of the efforts designed by the law enforcement department to engage and educate communities for their own protection. Taking into consideration that the preparations for the festival season are in full gear, it was imperative for them to remind people that prevention is better than cure hence they should be vigilant and cautious but not forget to account for their actions.
Captain Nomsa Sekele from Benoni SAPS said that they always ask people from the community to work with them, pleading that they should be the eyes and ears of the law enforcement department because the reality is people who are committing crimes are known and live within the community. So if it is only the department tackling crime without the community it is of no use.
By Rhulani Fundzama
