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A point raised in the comments section (beneath the first message, Hello Midrand!) mentions the issue of crime in the Midrand area. Midrand is defined as the highest crime region in the country. What a reputation to have!
In its proposed programming, Radio Midrand 93.8FM has gone to great lengths to ensure that both the South African Police Services and the Community Police Forum are given adequate weekly programming in order to convey their message/s. Talking about it though simply isn't suffice. Listening to crime statistics, whilst all very interesting, isn't the answer. A pro-active community who heed the tips, take the advice and provide the eyes and ears needed by a very under-resourced service, will lighten the burden not only of the SAPS, but themselves as well.
As effective as the print media is in asking people to keep a vigil for certain persons or vehicles associated with crimes in the area etc, radio will alert the public far quicker. So quick in fact that descriptions of perpetrators and vehicles for example can be aired literally minutes after a serious criminal occurrence.
It could be argued that this might leave the station vulnerable to hoax calls, but the plans under discussion with the SAPS and the CPF is to establish a means of ensuring that the report to RM 93.8FM is authentic. It must be emphasized that this would appear to be the major pitfall with the concept. It has been said that the SAPS themselves are both too busy and short staffed to have someone actually liaise genuine reports to the station. (Any suggestions?)
In its proposed programming, Radio Midrand 93.8FM has gone to great lengths to ensure that both the South African Police Services and the Community Police Forum are given adequate weekly programming in order to convey their message/s. Talking about it though simply isn't suffice. Listening to crime statistics, whilst all very interesting, isn't the answer. A pro-active community who heed the tips, take the advice and provide the eyes and ears needed by a very under-resourced service, will lighten the burden not only of the SAPS, but themselves as well.
As effective as the print media is in asking people to keep a vigil for certain persons or vehicles associated with crimes in the area etc, radio will alert the public far quicker. So quick in fact that descriptions of perpetrators and vehicles for example can be aired literally minutes after a serious criminal occurrence.
It could be argued that this might leave the station vulnerable to hoax calls, but the plans under discussion with the SAPS and the CPF is to establish a means of ensuring that the report to RM 93.8FM is authentic. It must be emphasized that this would appear to be the major pitfall with the concept. It has been said that the SAPS themselves are both too busy and short staffed to have someone actually liaise genuine reports to the station. (Any suggestions?)
These discussions are and will be on going, but consider this... If you were thinking of committing a crime in Midrand, would you be so quick to do so if the odds were good that you wouldn't get out of the area without a member of the public tipping off the police?
This issue is open to comment and opinion. We would really like to hear (read) your suggestions and ideas.
(All messages to this blog are compiled in the interest of public information and transparency. Comments, messages, suggestions and opinions expressed from readers are not necessarily shared by Radio Midrand 93.8FM or Midrand Community Communications)
(All messages to this blog are compiled in the interest of public information and transparency. Comments, messages, suggestions and opinions expressed from readers are not necessarily shared by Radio Midrand 93.8FM or Midrand Community Communications)
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