GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - A new Facebook group for the Graaff-Reinet SAPS was set up last Thursday and already has more than 300 members.
During discussions with Capt Neil Colyn, Cst Ruche Adolph, the station's Community Police Officer, realised the need for the police to be able to communicate quickly and effectively with members of the community.
"Social media is becoming increasingly important in today's world, and to be able to communicate quickly with our community is a great help," said Cst Adolph.
She sees many roles for the group, including giving information on forthcoming events and educating the community on relevant laws. This week, in response to requests from members of the community, fireworks were confiscated from many unauthorised sellers, and the group was used to inform the public that there is in fact only one licensed dealer in fireworks in Graaff-Reinet.
Response to the recent bomb threat in town is another example of the power of social media when the Advertiser was asked to post a warning on its Facebook page for the public to keep away from the affected area.
One of the first posts on the new SAPS group is a very powerful video, featuring Graaff-Reinet Station Commander Colonel Jonathan van der Rheede. He demonstrates clearly how a car's remote control locking device can very easily be jammed by criminals using a more powerful remote, such as for a gate or house alarm. One member of the group commented that she had heard about this many times, but not really taken any notice – but after watching the video with Col van der Rheede's clear explanation, she would be sure to double check that her car was locked in future!
Another function of the group that Cst Adolph plans to encourage is to advise the public about goods held in the SAPS store. There are many valuable items waiting to be claimed which cannot be linked to an owner, as often no case has been opened. Items posted this week include a bag of power tools and a tent. Obviously, anyone claiming the goods will need proof of ownership.
Cst Adolph is very enthusiastic about the advantages of having the group, and although there are still a few administrative issues to be ironed out, this is certainly a positive interaction between the police and the community of Graaff-Reinet.
The group is called simply Graaff-Reinet SAPS.
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