Niël Terblanché
After a series of consultations and discussions involving various stakeholders, Swakopmund’s town council recently hosted a feedback session to address growing safety concerns and unveil initiatives aimed at tackling crime within the community.
The gathering served as a platform for residents, government officials, non-governmental organizations, associations, neighbourhood watches, and law enforcement agencies to engage in dialogue regarding the pressing issue of crime prevention.
“We want to bring all the stakeholders – central government, ministries, non-governmental organizations, associations, neighbourhood watches and the Namibian Police, together to identify the challenges we are facing in town,” stated Archie Benjamin, the Chief Executive Officer of Swakopmund.
Benjamin stressed the importance of community involvement, encouraging individuals and organizations to consider what they can do to contribute to crime prevention efforts.
While the municipality’s role includes facilitating community meetings to foster collaboration, Benjamin acknowledged that additional responsibilities, such as installing CCTV cameras throughout the town, also play a vital role in enhancing security.
During the meeting, it was revealed that there is a growing need to establish neighbourhood watches to address the rising concerns of street children and homeless individuals in Swakopmund.
Benjamin urged community members to present their suggestions and proposals on how they can actively participate in the fight against crime and collaborate with the municipality to address this critical issue.
He added that the town council is eager to meet residents halfway in their efforts to create a safer living environment.
“One of the primary concerns identified by the community and stakeholders during the meeting is the presence of street children and homeless men in Swakopmund, which is deemed a significant issue requiring immediate attention. Additionally, stakeholders are examining the overharvesting of mussels in the area, as many individuals are exceeding the daily allowable limit, necessitating a multifaceted approach to mitigate this problem,” he said.
The feedback session marked an essential step towards fostering a safer and more secure Swakopmund while also stressing the significance of community collaboration in addressing crime prevention.
