Hello Everyone

Hope this clarifies any misgivings or doubts that you may have about the CCPO.  The good news is we are still currently having far more people joining than resigning and most of the resignations are from people who are relocating to other provinces or emigrating.

Update from the chairman

As you know the past few weeks have been a busy period for the CCPO with our effort being centered on dealing with Psira and the finalizing of the departure of two employees. Our team on the ground has continued under Wayne Strickland to deliver results, as we have seen a number of arrests over the past few weeks. Crime has also been down over the past few weeks, whether this is due to election fever or other factors we are not sure, however we are determined not to let our guard down and are still continuing in our efforts to strengthen crime fighting in Toti.

To clear up a few misunderstandings that seem to be out there concerning:

1. Why are we fighting Psira and not just joining like all the "other security companies".

We never from the onset wanted to be another "security company" but rather a proactive force working closely with structures such as SAPS and other emergency structures to ensure the safety of our community. Guarding is only one aspect of what we do and is not what we want to "specialise" in which is why we contract that out to Psira registered companies who work according to Psira's requirements. Being Psira registered would also have a direct effect on our relationship with SAPS. Our aim has been to build a network with the SAPS members and to ultimately build a bridge between SAPS and the security industry, something that would not be possible if we were registered with Psira. According to law SAPS may not recruit reservists from people currently working in the Psira network. We however feel that it is critical to be aligned with the SAPS network to maximise on the passing on of information, responding to crime and assisting with some aspects of the police work that would be beneficial to the community. Show us a "guarding company" that is giving better results to the community!

2. Transparency

Firstly thank you to the non transparent "anonymous member" who is questioning our non transparency for bringing this to our attention. To clear up the misunderstanding of some of our newer members, as the older members of CCPO well know, CCPO is a section 21 company who's books are audited annually by an accounting firm Harris Management Services and may be checked by any member who so wishes. The committee was elected at the AGM to run the CCPO and do so on a non paid voluntary basis so that every cent can be put back into the community, ensuring that the community gets maximum for its money and that people do not get elected for the sake of a job. Members who wish to get information on aspects of the CCPO may contact our office on 031 903 7037 during office hours (we also have families) or go to our offices next to Lords and Legends and ask what they need to know and we will endeavour to help you. The CCPO is a community project and does not force you to join or stay on, if you want to pay more than the recommended amount you are free to do so, if you feel you should be paying less for your subscription and you have a genuine reason why you would want to do so that is also fine, however should everyone feel that R10 is sufficient for the Job then be satisfied when service delivery reflects that.

3. The Naming of Staff members in the last Newsletter.

Unfortunately as with any business staff come and go, and sometimes disciplinary and other action goes along with it. As an employer the CCPO is not exempt and will be no different now and into the future, however the difference is that being a public entity staff try and use this to their advantage, and where you have a vindictive member it can be problematic from a communities point of view as they are only being given the information the staff member wants to "leak" out, and they do it from a position of anonymity. We feel that if that is how they wish to operate, then we are entitled to give the full facts of the case in response, including their names. As we have been open to answering questions throughout the last two years, I can only imagine that people hiding behind anonymous or no name SMS's are driving another agenda.

Here are few stats from the last three weeks CCPO Operations Response reports:

4 Housebreakings
1 Attempted Housebreaking
2 Hijackings
1 Attempted Hijacking
3 Robberies
1 Attempted Robbery
1 Assault & attempted rape
2 Car thefts
1 Attempted car theft
1 Fire
1 Theft
1 Suspected Drug Dealer - handed over to SAPS

On a different note we still desperately need the bar fridge, Boardroom table & chairs I asked for in the last letter, if anyone can help it would be appreciated

Thanks for your support
Fran Cole