Carte Blanche is currently (as I type) showing a story about Durban citizens who are taking back their streets. They are not qualified, registered police but are regular people who believe that if they can band together with the police, the prosecutors and other citizens in Durban, they can make things better in the areas they are working.
They are also taking a similar approach to Mayor Giuliani in New York by attacking the smaller crimes effectively and quickly. Make sure that victims feel as if there has been justice and the accused knows that they will and are suffering the consequences of their actions. The people involved believe that if they want to get the more volatile and gruesome crimes under control, they need to start with petty crime.
This sort of initiative is incredible. I will post more information regarding contact details for the right people to speak to if you want to get involved or start a similar programme in your own area.
I believe that every South African has an obligation to get involved and make a difference in their own areas. If you see something strange in your area report it, investigate it cautiously and alert your neighbours. It is your problem if something happens to them because you will be next. This is not a scare tactic post it is a realistic post that says we have a problem and the means to correct it!
We as South Africans, as community members and citizens of this magnificent country need to make criminals understand that the Community is the Majority and criminals are in the minority, we need to band together to make people understand that they can make a difference.
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April 16th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
This is so true. I am so tired of people going on about “they” must do something about crime. Who is the nebulous “they” that will come and sort everything out?? We need to start taking some responsibilty for each and every one of our own streets and workplaces. For some people, this could mean becoming a police reservist or starting/joining a community policing forum. Or it could be a simple as getting to know your neighbours and knowing that you will all look out for one another – or simply reporting suspicious or criminal activities in your area rather than sitting back and hoping somebody else will. I know some of these may sound ridiculously small and ineffectual when faced with the levels of crime that SA faces, but you have to start somewhere. So why not in your own backyard?
April 16th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Very well said. I mean people in the states complain at the drop of a hat, here we don’t call anyone if we hear a gunshot. That attitude has to stop!
April 17th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20070217083048198C301152
There is also a story about a guy in KZN that started another community-project, effectively eradicating crime as people started to work together – can’t find it, unfortunately….
Anyway, the message is: people in this country should finally start to work together. Instead of whining, drinking, braaiing and watching rugby. And stop robbing each other in business deals, weakening solidarity.
Just like in your famous parks, they always prey the weaker ones, singling them out. So, by sticking together, closing the laager and creating a herd, it becomes much harder to single someone out.
But what do you do? Build higher walls, feeling sorry for yourself, locking yourself up, waiting for the bad news.
Show that as a community you clean your own streets, stand together, fight together – if necessary, fight the officials, stall the so-called justice-system that favors criminals – beat them at their own turf.
Hunt down the criminals and stand up against police officials, judges and salon-socialist human-right faggots – history shows that a people’s uproar is always effective – although the ‘system’ tries to suppress it by laws, negotiations and fake promises.
Rocks, sticks and bullets speak louder than words – they are heard by the people in power. And they can change things.
That is, of course, only after you change your own attitude and behavior.
April 17th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Sjefke: I think that I agree with you, but I don’t think that anyone should go and hunt anyone down at all. I think that we must simply band together within our communities and support one another. I do not think that “faggots” is a term you should be using in this effect however. Rocks, Sticks and bullets? Really? Don’t you think that fire with fire just gets things burned?
Your passion is admirable although I feel somewhat mislead and I am not calling the citizens of SA to arms to fight. That is NOT the way forward. AT AL.
Thanks for your comment though!!
April 17th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Nic –
Sometimes it is passion and emotion indeed – venting – no, I don’t want to call to arms and inspire some civil war, but putting some fuel on the debate won’t hurt – but ok, some ‘moderation’ from my side.
‘Hunting down’: patrol your neighbourhood, inform police and security guards about suspicious people – take pictures, keep track of vehicles etc.
‘Faggots’: I’m sick of the political correctness of weak, soft (mostly left wing) human rights advocates and their psychological terror they try to impose: criminalising victims and vice versa, raping justice and common sense: only because they lack the moral courage to fight for a constitution and defend the basic rights of citizens – basically they are cowards, giving in to criminals and the latest fashion of salon-socialism.
‘Rocks, sticks and bullets’: make yourself heard, rally, shout in front of the Court, police station or homes of politicians – and yes, throw a rock or two through their windows if needed – just like your private homes are vandalised, invaded and robbed.
Talking is their means to control the silent majority, pretending it is the decent, civilised way to solve issues. However, if that majority feels they are not heard, understood or taken seriously, what else remains? Elections. Sure. And more talking.
‘Revolutions’ don’t start at conference tables. They start in the streets. To get politicians out of their comfort zones, to open their eyes and to have them respect their constituents. At least a little. And for a while. After all, they represent the democracy? And they are the ones that should take action? So maybe they just need some ‘stirring’…….
Just like many fed-up but docile citizens need some stirring.
Perhaps ‘SA Rocks’ provides some proverbial rocks?