LANGEBERG ATTENDS MUNICIPAL PUBLIC SAFETY CONFERENCE

The Institute for Municipal Public Safety Western Cape (IMPS-WC) Conference took place in Prince Albert from the 17th to the 19th of July 2024.

Our Municipal Manager, Mr. Danie Lubbe, and our acting Community Safety Co-ordinator, Ms. Esmarelda Fortuin attended the 3-day conference. One of the aims of IMPS-WC is to establish Municipal Public Safety within the local government as a profession in its own right.

Executive Mayors, Members of Mayoral Committees (MMC’s), Municipal Managers, Directors, delegates, and representatives from various municipalities in the Western Cape attended the conference and was eager to share ideas and information.

Emphasis was placed on the establishment and working procedures of Community Safety Forums, including working groups, and Area Based Teams. Key note speakers shared their expertise, and gave feedback on relevant topics like: Bylaws and legislation, Peace Officer appointments, and the support to Community Safety Forums to name but a few.

Day 2 of the conference welcomed the new MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety in the Western Cape, Ms. Anroux Marais, the previous Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. The new minister shared her vision and goals for safety and safer communities in the Western Cape and is supportive of the objectives of IMPS-WC.

The recently established LCSF (Langeberg Community Safety Forum) also had its platform at the conference.

The Deputy Director for POCS (Police Oversight and Community Safety), Mr. Justin Lottring identified the Langeberg CSF as the best practice model to be used for Community Safety Forums that still need to be established in some municipalities in the Western Cape. This is a huge compliment for Langeberg and all the role players that contributed towards the successful establishment of our Forum.

The first consultation meeting has been established with Witzenberg municipality in early August to assist the municipality in establishing their own CSF.