THE URGENT NEED TO REVIVE CPF (COMMUNITY POLICING FORUM) IN NAMIBIA

In Namibia, Community Policing Forums (CPFs) are pivotal in creating safer communities by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local residents. The increasing concerns around crime, including robberies, theft, gender-based violence (GBV), and passion killings, highlight the urgent need to support and strengthen these forums. A collective approach, where police work alongside community members, is essential to combat crime effectively and ensure that all Namibians can feel safe in their communities.


The Importance of Community Policing in Namibia

Namibia faces an alarming rise in crime, including violent acts such as robberies, sexual offenses, and GBV. According to the Namibian Police’s 2020 Crime Report, property crimes, including theft and robberies, accounted for nearly 25% of reported offenses, while violent crimes, particularly those related to domestic violence and sexual assault, also showed a disturbing upward trend. In 2020, there were over 2,000 reported cases of domestic violence, and the number of rapes exceeded 1,000, with women and children being disproportionately affected.

This growing crime wave emphasizes the need for effective crime prevention strategies. One of the most promising approaches is community policing, particularly through CPFs, which aim to build trust between law enforcement and the public, allowing for a shared responsibility in crime prevention and problem-solving.


Building Trust Between the Police and the Community

The relationship between the police and communities in Namibia has been fraught with tension in the past, partly due to historical mistrust and perceived inefficiencies in law enforcement. However, CPFs serve as a bridge to overcoming these challenges. By encouraging open communication and partnership, CPFs create an environment where police and citizens can work together to address local concerns and crime.

Community members who engage in CPFs are often able to voice their concerns directly to law enforcement officers. This dialogue helps the police better understand the needs of the community and tailor their strategies accordingly. Likewise, it allows the public to recognize the challenges faced by law enforcement and how they can assist in reducing crime. Through mutual trust and understanding, CPFs have proven effective in addressing local crime problems.


Enhancing Crime Prevention and Community Safety

The primary goal of CPFs is to prevent and reduce crime, and statistics indicate that community involvement is key to achieving this. As of 2020, robberies and thefts involving firearms rose by 14%, while violent crimes like domestic violence and passion killings continued to plague communities. CPFs, however, provide a platform to address these issues before they escalate. Through collaboration, citizens and law enforcement can identify crime hotspots, detect early warning signs, and develop proactive strategies to address them.

One area where CPFs have shown significant impact is in the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV). In communities where CPFs are active, police and community members can work together to provide awareness programs, resources for victims, and safer spaces for those at risk. The forums also allow for greater visibility of GBV issues, encouraging reporting and offering avenues for support.


The Role of Neighborhood Watches in Crime Prevention

Neighborhood watches, a vital extension of CPFs, have become an essential part of Namibia’s crime-fighting efforts. In areas where neighborhood watch programs are established, residents work together to monitor suspicious activities, report crimes in progress, and support local law enforcement in preventing criminal acts. These watch groups have become an effective deterrent to criminals, who know that communities are vigilant and involved in protecting their own safety.

Neighborhood watches not only deter crime but also build a stronger sense of community. Residents who actively participate in these programs are more likely to develop a vested interest in the well-being of their neighborhood, which results in a higher level of cooperation with law enforcement. This unity makes it more difficult for criminals to operate undetected and ensures that the community is more resilient to crime.


The Impact of the Woman and Man Network in Crime Prevention

Another critical element in enhancing the effectiveness of CPFs is the active involvement of gender-based networks, such as the Woman and Man Network. This network is instrumental in addressing crimes like GBV, domestic violence, and sexual offenses, which are significant problems in Namibia. Women and men in these networks provide crucial support services, raise awareness, and advocate for the rights and safety of victims.

The Woman and Man Network often works closely with CPFs to address gender-specific concerns. Their impact is most visible in their ability to provide direct support to victims of GBV, helping them access resources, legal aid, and safe shelters. Additionally, these networks collaborate with the police to educate communities about the signs of abuse and the importance of early intervention.

The network also plays an essential role in breaking the silence surrounding GBV. In communities where these networks are active, victims are more likely to come forward and report crimes, knowing that they have the support of a dedicated group of people who understand their experiences and are willing to take action. This collaborative effort between the Woman and Man Network and CPFs significantly reduces the prevalence of violence and fosters a safer environment for all.


Strengthening Community Involvement

Although the police play an essential role in maintaining law and order, the success of CPFs relies heavily on community involvement. When residents actively engage in CPF activities, they contribute to a safer environment, increase police-community cooperation, and help identify and solve crime-related problems. However, for CPFs and initiatives like neighborhood watches and the Woman and Man Network to thrive, adequate resources, training, and public awareness are crucial.

Effective crime prevention programs require ongoing support from the government, NGOs, and the community itself. Policymakers should prioritize funding for CPF-related activities, training for both police officers and community leaders, and awareness campaigns that encourage citizens to participate in these crime-fighting initiatives.


The Road Ahead

To ensure the success and sustainability of CPFs in Namibia, a more significant investment in resources and community involvement is necessary. The increased presence of neighborhood watches and the Woman and Man Network, combined with consistent law enforcement and community engagement, will significantly contribute to reducing crime rates, including robberies, theft, GBV, and passion killings.

By strengthening the CPF framework, Namibia can move toward a future where communities are more resilient to crime, where citizens and police work together, and where everyone, regardless of gender, can live free from violence. The collective efforts of the police, neighborhood watches, and gender-based networks are essential in creating a safer, more united Namibia.


Gideon Kapuka is a researcher, writer and business consultant; gideonkapuka5@gmail.com

Location: Windhoek, Namibia

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GRADUATED BUT BLOCKED: NAMIBIA’S NEW NURSING EVALUATION FAILING FUTURE HEALTHCARE HEROES

In what should be a moment of triumph and relief for newly completed nursing students in Namibia, many are instead facing distress, uncertainty, and financial strain. The Nursing Council of Namibia (NCN) has introduced a new policy that requires student nurses, who have already completed their academic and clinical training, to undergo additional oral and written evaluations before they can graduate. While the intention may be to uphold professional standards, the reality on the ground tells a much more troubling story. A Policy of Double Standards One of the most glaring issues with this new policy is its selective application. Only newly completed student nurses are being subjected to this extra evaluation, while previously qualified nurses continue to practice without undergoing the same process. This creates an unfair and discriminatory standard. If the aim is truly to protect public health, shouldn’t all practicing nurses be held to the same level of scrutiny? The inconsistency is...
Read more

QUESTIONABLE SPENDING ON FAREWELL FOR NAMIBIA'S FOUNDING FATHER

By: Gideon Kapuka This week, the Namibian government allocated over 7 million Namibian dollars to transport the remains of former President Sam Nujoma across the country, to at least seven of Namibia’s fourteen regions. The question that immediately arises is: Is this an expenditure of genuine necessity? Namibia is currently battling a devastating drought, one that is projected to persist until the next harvest season. Against this backdrop of urgent national hardship, the government’s decision to deploy substantial state resources towards a national funeral, while vital issues such as drought relief and infrastructure demands remain unaddressed, is not only alarming but also difficult to defend. While there is no denying that Sam Nujoma, as the country’s founding president, made indelible contributions to Namibia’s historical and political landscape, the current approach to honoring his memory through such extravagant expenditure is deeply contentious. Acknowledging the legacy of a n...
Read more

A CRITIQUE OF SAM NUJOMA’S LEGACY

By: Gideon Kapuka  Sam Nujoma, the founding president of the Republic of Namibia, is undeniably a pivotal figure in the country's history. As a central leader in the struggle for independence from South African colonial rule, he is hailed as a hero who brought Namibia to the threshold of freedom. However, a critical examination of his presidency uncovers a more troubling legacy—one that is marked not only by the persistence of deep poverty and inequality but also by widespread corruption that undermined the very principles of the liberation struggle. While Nujoma's role in securing Namibia's independence is not up for debate, the economic and social promises that accompanied that liberation were left largely unfulfilled. The slogan of "it's our time now" is emblematic of a mindset that has plagued many post-independence African leaders, and Nujoma was no exception. Under his leadership, the wealth and resources of the nation became concentrated in the hands of...
Read more