Inaugural Launch of the Knysna Community Safety Forum

In a landmark move for public safety, Knysna Municipality celebrated the launch of the Knysna Community Safety Forum, convening for its second day of discourse on Thursday, August 29, within the municipality's Council Chambers. Featuring various stakeholders, this initiative promises a comprehensive approach to the protection and well-being of the residents of Greater Knysna.

Acting Municipal Manager Phaahle Malepeng has heralded the establishment of the forum as a pivotal milestone in the municipality's continual quest to reinforce community security. This collaborative effort sets itself apart from the existing Knysna Community Police Forum (CPF), known for its partnerships between community members and the South African Police Service (SAPS) as mandated by the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995.

Malepeng elucidated that while the CPF is constrained to specific police station precincts, the newly formed Community Safety Forum boasts a much more extensive jurisdiction, potentially impacting a broader spectrum of safety challenges across all communities in the region. This extended reach empowers the forum to tackle issues that transcend the direct control of the police, including multidisciplinary concerns such as environmental safety measures necessary for eradicating crime hotspots.

Echoing the ethos of a holistic strategy, the Knysna Community Safety Forum aims to confront a myriad of elements that contribute to a safe community fabric. This includes not only law enforcement but also promoting social cohesion and guiding urban design—all critical aspects of cultivating secure neighborhoods.

As a beacon of multisector cooperation, the forum is expected to pave the way for enhanced communication and action between community safety efforts and the broader support network facilitated by the justice, crime prevention, and security clusters. Malepeng expressed his confidence that the forum would act as a pivotal nexus, uniting diverse entities in a concerted effort to safeguard the populace and foster a tranquil, protected environment.

Under the umbrella of the Knysna Community Safety Forum, partners including Knysna Municipality, the Garden Route District Municipality, SAPS, local CPF chapters, neighborhood watches, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Community Safety, and other community stakeholders are set to engage actively in crafting a more secure future for Knysna. The community-oriented approach and commitment to creating a harmonious and secure Knysna anticipate making an indelible mark on the region's standard of safety and security.