Newcastle CPF and security teams will now film drug dealers and users

In a decisive move, the Newcastle Community Policing Forum (CPF) and local security companies have initiated a robust campaign against the rampant drug trade within the town, targeting both suppliers and users directly.

Ismaeel Dhalech, Chairperson of the Newcastle CPF, has stated that a proactive approach has been adopted to cleanse the residential areas from drug peddlers, runners, and users.

Effective immediately, the Newcastle CPF, alongside its active patrollers and collaborating security companies, will not sit back and allow dealers to trade as they please. Instead, they will document the comings and goings of individuals at these sites, capturing both video and photographic evidence. This collected evidence will then be submitted to the local South African Police Services (SAPS) management for a thorough investigation.

Dhalech elucidated the rationale behind this strategic shift, stating, “Users resort to stealing items such as solar panels, lights, and televisions, which they then barter with drug dealers. These dealers, in turn, sell the stolen items.”

With drug usage linked to burglaries, Dhalech highlighted that it was essential that the Newcastle CPF and security companies began tackling the issue, especially as drug dealers tended to sell their illicit wares from their homes in Newcastle’s residential suburbs.

“Drugs are everywhere in Newcastle, from Arbor Park straight through to Lennoxton. The most common drugs are KAT, Crystal Meth, and Whoonga,” he explained.

While drug sellers attracted potential criminals to Newcastle’s suburbs, Dhalech noted they brought another social ill to local suburbs.

“There are drug dealers who are housing prostitutes in their houses,” he said. These prostitutes would occasionally use local parks to satisfy their clients, adding to the sordid behaviour created by the drug trade.

In response to these multifaceted challenges, the Newcastle CPF and collaborating security firms have united in firm resolve. “The Newcastle CPF and security companies are gatvol. We are done. We will now be putting pressure on everyone. If you want to deal in drugs or anything like that, you can go elsewhere and not in our residential areas,” emphasised Dhalech.

As the battle against the drug trade escalates, community participation is pivotal. Residents are urged to contribute actively by providing relevant footage to the respective admins of CPF WhatsApp groups. All information will be handled with utmost confidentiality.

With the above in mind, share your thoughts and insights on these crucial developments in the comment section below.