2011-09-09: Joburg prepares to consult on a safer, just City

COMMUNITY Safety will be the focus of the City's Growth and Development Strategy starting from next week, 11 to 17 September 2011.

Member of the mayoral committee for Public Safety councilor (clr) Matshidiso Mfikoe says "New insights into crime prevention by way of urban design and management will be investigated and discussed during this week, along with creative ways of 'taking back the streets'".

She said ways of building better relationships between residents and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department are also on the agenda, with the focus being on community and neighborhood policing.

"The week is designed to promote and maximize public discourse and mobilization for both design solutions and collaboration in substantive partnerships to address safety well into the future", says Clr Mfikoe.

The engagement of civil society in this GDS outreach programme aims to strengthen local associations while inspiring new debates and actions towards a safer cleaner City.

Topics for discussion will centre on a safe inclusive Joburg, enabling safety through urban design and management, effective bylaw enforcement and maintenance of public spaces, breaking the cycle of violence in the City and disaster management.

Expert facilitators from the University of Johannesburg, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, Legal Resource Network and South African Cities Network have been invited to participate. 

Executive mayor Parks Tau will walk in the shoes of both a Metro police officer and Emergency Services on Monday 12 September to get an insight into the daily challenges, tasks and rewards of being a member of the Public Safety Department.

A detailed programme of Community Safety Week will be on the GDS website from 10 September and the public is encouraged to participate online on: www.joburg.org.za/gds2040, facebook.com/gds2040 or twitter.com/gds2040.

"Joburg, a City where community development, personal growth and social mobility are enhanced so that challenges of poverty, vulnerability, inequality and social exclusion are fundamentally addressed".

Issued on behalf:
Councillor Matshidiso Mfikoe
Mayoral committee member
Public Safety

Issued by:
Virgil James
Spokesperson
City of Joburg
Cel: 082 467 9415
Tel: 011 407 7226