GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Graaff-Reinet Residents' and Ratepayers' Association (GRRPA) would like to thank Captain Neil Colyn from the local SAPS as well as Public Prosecutor Rhona Scheun for speaking at the Association's recent Annual General Meeting held on Monday evening, 6 August, about the prevention of crime.

Here are 10 points which every citizen can implement:

1. Be a law-abiding citizen yourself. If you don't stop at a stop street, you are committing a crime and other more serious crimes may follow.

2. Support the SAPS. Play your part. Take the responsibility for reporting a crime to the police.

3. If you report a crime on Facebook, also take action yourself by reporting it to the local police station.

4. The SAPS cannot act on a Facebook report. Evidence is needed to prosecute criminals. You can supply this evidence.

5. Be part of the Community Police Forum (CPF).

Meetings are held every first Tuesday of the month at 17:00 at the local police station. The CPF will help you form a street committee ("buurtwag"). Phone Sgt Jooste at 082 587 6739 to find out more in this regard.

6. Put pressure on the municipality to make Law Enforcement work and enforce the by-laws.

7. Become a Police Reservist with the help of SAPS.

8. Know the law: It is illegal for businesses to employ car guards. It is also illegal for car guards to show drivers into parking places.

9. Don't pay car guards.

10. Lock your car. Don't leave anything visible in your car. If at all possible, put your car in a garage overnight.

'We bring you the latest Graaff-Reinet, Karoo news'