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)

Civil Society

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 & 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

Questions?