An analysis of the role of the South African Police Service and the local government in crime prevention

Abstract

Crime is unwanted in any society because it brings about fear, anger and hatred. As people living in a world of constant change, we tend to strive for innovation which this research endeavours. The South African Police Service (SAPS) and all relevant role-players become partners in the fight against not only crime, but also community problems that threaten the well-being of inhabitants. Local Government is attempting to develop communities in municipal areas and SAPS primary function is to reduce crime. If crime is one of the main obstacles in improving the quality of life, then surely government authorities must take responsibility for local safety, and who better than these two key organisations taking the lead. This study investigates the roles of SAPS and Local Government in crime prevention in the Cape Winelands District Municipality; also whether their co-operation brings about fruitful results and what interventions are actively in place. It further explores whether their integrated approach has an impact on the safety and security of local communities. Lastly, it determines whether their collaboration is effective or not; and what additional improvements can be implemented, seeking new insights for future reference. Three hundred (300) questionnaires were distributed to senior management members of the SAPS and Local Government, as well as other relative stakeholders who contribute to increasing safety. Crime reduction influences all spheres of society, for example our economy, businesses, tourism etc. Reducing crime and building safer communities must be a priority for all South Africans. To achieve this, crime prevention programmes should be initiated at community level, since crime prevention involves responding to a few priority problems, using multi-agency approaches. Government legislation and policies urge both organisations to take the lead in implementing crime prevention projects which this study discovered. This analysis is not to re-invent the wheel but to find effective ways in strengthening partnership which leads to new knowledge in the field of crime prevention at local level. One of the basic needs of any community is the need for safety and security and this study aims to assist and contribute to increase safety using an integrated approach.

Enige samelewing het „n afkeur aan misdaad omdat dit angs, haat en negatiewe emosies aanwakker. Omdat die mensdom gedurig verandering in die gesig staar, poog hierdie navorsing om nuwe idees. Die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie Diens (SAPD) en ander rolspelers is vennote in die bekamping van misdaad, asook probleme wat die welstand van elke gemeenskap bedreig. Plaaslike owerhede beywer hulle om gemeenskappe te vestig terwyl misdaadbekamping die SAPD se primêre doel is. Hierdie studie ondersoek die rolle van die SAPD en plaaslike owerhede in die bekamping van misdaad binne die grense van die Wynland Distrikte Munisipailteit. Ook ondersoek hierdie studie of daar vrugbare uitslae en aktiewe maatreëls in plek is om misdaad hok te slaan. Verder ondersoek die studie of gesamentlike aksies enige impak op die gemeenskap se veiligheid en sekuriteit het. Ten laaste bepaal hierdie studie of die samewerking vrugte afwerp of nie; en watter nuwe metodes aangewend kan word ter verbetering in die lig van toekomstige vraagstukke rondom misdaad. Tydens hierdie studie is 300 vraelyste versprei onder senior lede van die SAPD en plaaslike regering sowel as ander gemeenskap rolspelers. Misdaadbekamping speel „n belangrike rol in enige gemeenskap aangesien dit „n impak het op die ekonomie, handel, toerisme, ens. Dus is die verlaging van die misdaad syfer en die bou van veilige gemeenskappe elke Suid-Afrikaner se plig. Om hierdie doel te bereik, verg samemerking tussen elke vennoot, aangesien misdaadbekamping elke persoon, organisasie en regerings department se prioriteit behoort te wees. Wetgewing moedig alle rolspelers aan en in hierdie geval, SAPD en plaaslike owerhede, om die voortou te neem tydens die implementering van projekte ter bekamping van misdaad. Hierdie studie se mikpunt is om effektiewe maniere te vind om die vennootskap in misdaadbekamping op plaaslike vlak te versterk. Die uiteindelike doel is om „n positiewe bydrae te maak in die basiese behoeftes van elke gemeenskap; om veiligheid en sekuriteit deur „n standpunt van vennootskap te ondersoek en te implementeer; en sodoende „n omgee kultuur in dié Distrik te verseker.