safer south africa foundation's presentation at the american chamber of commerce security and...
TRANSCRIPT
Building Safer Stronger Communities
‘A Safer South Africa’ American Chamber of Commerce/Motorola Solutions,
The Wanderers Hotel, Johannesburg
Paul Wilson
CEO
Safer South Africa Foundation
Preventing crime - the theory
Generally agreed there are two popular approaches underpinned by criminological theory
Situational – by reducing opportunities
Sociological – by changing his/her disposition
Situational crime prevention
Developed by the British Home Office 1970’s
Premised upon rational choice theory
reduces the opportunities for criminals to commit crime
changes criminals' ideas about whether they can get away with a particular crime
makes it seem harder, riskier, and less rewarding to commit crime
Criticism of situational approach
situational prevention attacks symptoms and not underlying, systemic causes
contributes little to our understanding of why crimes occur
Simplistic approach to complex social issue
Create a fortress society accessed by rich and powerful
Social Crime Prevention
The social crime prevention model gives much needed attention to the ‘root causes’ of crime viz social and economic factors
concerned with strengthening human resources, creative problem-solving, restructuring, and alternative models of organization and action
Programmes intervene at the community level oriented towards improving or changing community institutions and solving community problems
Building Stronger Sustainable Communities
“……must understand that the controls that lead to reduced crime cannot be imposed from the outside; they must emerge from changes in the community itself, and in the people who compose it.’’
(Kornblum & Boggs, 1984, pp. 26 -27)
‘’Active citizenry, an efficient criminal justice system and effective co-ordinated partnerships with civil society and the private sector are the key components of a sustainable strategy for citizen safety’’
National Development Plan (p386)
Safer South Africa Foundation
A national ‘not for profit organisation’ established in 2012 with the following Vision:
‘South Africa – a safer place to work, rest and play’
Mission: ‘To help build safe, confident and empowered communities’
Aim of Safer South Africa Foundation
To mobilise under resourced communities, to build their awareness and ability to work in partnership with service providers in order to strengthen the community’s ability to ‘fight against crime’
Foster a better understanding of community safety issues and improve relationships between the community and the law enforcement agencies
To actively contribute to the national discourse on crime and community safety matters by undertaking research, advocacy and campaigns
Key achievements
Presented to Police Portfolio Committee on Private Security Amendment Bill (relationship SAPS & Priv. Security)
Presented comprehensive commentary and critique of Policing Green Paper
Anti-gangsterism programme Anti-Nyaope campaign Anti-rape initiative Developed flagship Communities & Justice programme
Communities and Justice Programme; implementation Professionally structured modules presented in
a ‘classroom’ setting
‘Mock trial’ in a Court room setting, involving young learners
Visit to Correctional Facility
Programme delivered over a 8wk period
‘Graduation ceremony’/certificates presented to students
The goal of the Communities and Justice Programme
to promote a better understanding of the criminal Justice system
to foster the trust and confidence of the communities
to open lines of communication
to produce informed and empowered members of the community and
to lay a foundation for strong partnerships and community based crime prevention
Focus upon our younger learners
Forward
Partnership with Gauteng Department of Education Potential delivery in 200+ schools Plans to deliver in the Western Cape Identify tertiary education institutions Secure revenue streams Develop the