Page 10 - SilverLakes_Issue 4_2022

SECURITY NEWS

LAKES SECURITY FORUM

‘Stronger Together’

akes Security Forum was founded in Forum members exchange crucial What makes this forum unique is that
October 2006. It focused on the area information and keep a lookout for we have not approached one member
Least of Solomon Mahlangu Drive, suspicious vehicles and/or people. There to join. All members end up finding us,
north of Graeme Road, west of Mooiplaats are monthly meetings at different venues out of the simple need to feel safe. Over
Road and south of the N4 highway. The and frequent crime prevention operations the years, relationships have been built
reason for starting the forum was to create with a strong SAPS and CPF presence. and we have become a group. Even when
a safer community for people visiting, SAPS statistics clearly indicate that the there were divisions, crime and violence
working and residing in the area. forum is playing an important part in crime brought us together.
reduction as there is a noticeable decline in
The forum provides the opportunity to the number of reported crimes in the area. We believe that the key to our success
security managers and service providers SAPS statistics and crime trends have a huge lies in us staying active, communicating
of residential estates, businesses and impact on the planning of the forum’s crime and continuing to build a relationship
other entities to exchange security- prevention operations. with one another. We are apolitical and
related information and to be proactive represent every demographic. Whenever
in combating crime. The Boschkop South The forum’s vision is to create a continuous we socialise and break bread, it is done
African Police Service (SAPS), Metro stream of awareness and communication with the guards, estate managers and
Police and the local Community Policing regarding security and safety-related MDs as equals. We answer every call for
Forum (CPF) management are invited to matters for residents, other community help and will always do so.
attend forum meetings to ensure effective members and visitors. The mission of the
networking. forum is to exchange information and to The area is affluent and is built in
assist and partake in visible crime prevention close proximity to low-income areas.
Initially, only the security of Silver Lakes measures in order to ensure a better, safer Ultimately, socio-economic factors will
Golf and Wildlife Estate organised and environment for the community. always dictate that high-income earners
executed crime prevention operations in are targeted by criminals. We are an
conjunction with the local SAPS Boschkop It is evident that the use of advanced organisation for the community, by the
and the Department of Home Affairs. technology is critical in combating crime community.
Lately, though, the membership of the effectively. Therefore, the use of static and
forum has expanded, and so has its mobile Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) Lakes Security Forum has designed gate
reach. It is the forum’s belief that crime cameras, as well as drones fitted with thermal signage and vehicle magnets, and is
prevention can only be successful if there and IR (infrared) cameras, is being investigated. distributing these to members for a fee.
is a high visibility of law enforcement Not only does this provide exposure for
agency members. Through its actions the For the aforementioned solutions to be the forum, but it also creates an income
forum helps to keep criminal elements at implemented, a centralised control room for us to fund necessary operational
bay. from where these systems can be properly expenses.
managed will be required. Funding is
Given that the forum’s efforts are needed for this. Hennie du Plessis
benefitting estates, shopping centres, Security Manager
office parks and schools in the area, it In October 2021, Lakes Security Forum Silver Lakes Golf and Wildlife Estate
was decided to approach these entities was registered with the Companies and lakesforum@gmail.com
to become partners in the joint effort to Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) as
combat crime. a non-profit company (NPC). Three directors
were appointed, with none receiving any
Not only has the forum managed to form of remuneration.
strengthen the hand of the local SAPS in
terms of workforce and the provision of A Telegram group called “Lakes Security
other resources, it has also managed to Forum Public Group” was recently started.
get different private security companies Community members can use the app to
that are traditionally in competition with report incidents and anything suspicious.
each other to work together to reach the After all, when it comes to combating crime
common goal of the forum – hence the effectively, community members play a
slogan “Stronger Together”. crucial role.

8 | INTRAMUROS MAY 2022