Crime prevention and community service has been given a significant boost at De Deur Police Station as part of the 'Glenrand M-I-B Police Station Renovation' campaign currently being run throughout Gauteng by insurance brokers and risk advisory consultants, Glenrand M-I-B, and
Talk Radio 702.
The De Deur Police Station was nominated by members of the local community in an on-air call on
Talk Radio 702 to identify deserving stations that have gone above the call of duty to serve and protect their community. “The station has received a significant make-over by Glenrand M-I-B during November, however the true impact of this has gone way beyond aesthetic, structural improvements, and touches a far deeper, psychological level,” explains Busi Mabuza, Executive GM: Marketing and Development of Glenrand M-I-B.
“The final result has not only given a facelift to the Community Service Centre (CSC) at De Deur Police Station, it has gone a long way in boosting morale for the police men and women who work there as well as created a professional, uplifting experience for the community at large who make use of the station. The De Deur initiative forms part of a larger, interactive radio campaign in partnership with
Talk Radio 702 to support the South African Police Service in the fight against crime, acknowledging the men and women in blue who have committed their lives to service beyond expectation. It is about helping our police better serve their communities at the end of the day.
“We have completed activations at various police stations already and each time it truly amazes me how much difference seemingly small contributions can make in entire communities in terms of fighting the crime that affects each and every South African in one way or another,” explains Busi. The 'Glenrand M-I-B Police Station Renovation' campaign launched on-air in August 2009 and is drawing significant public support and nominations for stations that have delivered outstanding service to the local community. The campaign runs until June 2010 and plans are underfoot to extend the campaign nationally starting with the Western Cape province in February 2010.
Senior Superintendent Sonja Slabbert of De Deur Police Station is exceedingly proud of what the station has achieved to date and the support that it has received from business and community alike. “The involvement of the community at De Deur is without doubt one of the biggest achievements from a crime prevention perspective. The mere fact that the station was nominated by the community for the Glenrand M-I-B Station Renovation initiative speaks volumes. A few short years ago, De Deur police station was faced with a tough, unsupportive community. History has proven that in terms of crime fighting, nothing can be achieved without the absolute support and buy-in from citizens and businesses.
“Through active engagement with the community and hard work, we have turned the situation around and today we have incredible community support and buy-in, with over 220 community patrollers and volunteers who give of their time freely and without reward. They can be seen at our side when we do crime prevention operations and stings and there has been an incredible improvement in the region as a result,” explains Snr Supt Slabbert.
“The Glenrand M-I-B Police Station Renovation campaign has really inspired us and in fact, motivated us to take the improvements even further. The community has shown their support by upgrading the trauma centre and the police officers themselves have jumped in to help renovate the boardroom. The incredible effect that this initiative has had on the De Deur Police Station team is truly remarkable and really shows that even the smallest token of appreciation and recognition makes a huge difference in the lives of the police and how they interact with the community,” says Snr Supt Slabbert.
The De Deur Police Station is responsible for over 500 square kilometres bordering Meyerton, Mondeor and Eikenhof, serviced by 137 police officials. The population density for the area is 226 people per square kilometre. The majority of the landscape is rural and includes a great deal of informal settlements where unemployment remains a serious socio-economic challenge.
“Business involvement is critical as police stations are run on a shoestring budget. There are so many basic requirements that get pushed to the wayside for more critical aspects. Things such as property maintenance and repairs, furniture, office equipment and so on are often the last on the list and yet make such an important difference to our ability to serve our communities better. We are really appreciative of the support from Glenrand M-I-B.”
“The ‘Glenrand M-I-B Police Station Renovation Campaign’ is a great platform to call on local citizens to tell us how we could make the daily work environment of our SAPS that much more pleasant and motivating. We’re asking
702 listeners to help give something back simply by telling us about a police station that has gone over and above the call of duty by sending in a short motivation about how we can help with a station renovation. It could be something as simple as a coat of paint, a fax machine, right through to a revamp of the offices and facilities,” adds Glenrand’s Busi Mabuza. ““South Africa faces many challenges of which combating crime is one of the top priorities. Nurturing support and engagement between business; communities; Government; and the SAPS is the only way that we will ever effectively meet these challenges and we are proud to support in any way that we can.”
To nominate your local police station, listen to
Talk Radio 702 or log onto
www.702.co.za.