A top cop has started an “adopt-a-school” progamme for 24 schools on the Cape Flats to combat safety problems like drugs and gangsterism.
Lieutenant-Colonel Dawood Laing made his first stop at Fairmount Secondary School in Grassy Park on Monday, which he says is one of the most “problematic” schools.
Laing has appointed 24 cops for each school in Grassy Park, who will visit the facilities to address problems.
Laing has adopted Fairmount and says: “Every school must have a liaison officer because you cannot rely on the sector commander alone to take responsibility, because there is too many schools in the area.
“The adopt-a-school officer must visit four times a month to find out if there are any challenges. They must identify the problem and create a solution.
Lieutenant-Colonel Dawood Laing. Video: Genevieve Serra/Daily Voice
“When a person is a phone call away, the children start trusting the police.”
While visiting Lotus River Secondary, Laing told pupils to make the right choices and stay away from gangs and drugs.
“We came to the school this morning and found five pupils not at school.
“Their future will be to take any trolley and steal and collect scrap and that is where they will end up if they do not change their lives.”
Laing says weapons were confiscated at several schools in Grassy Park.
Bronagh Hammond, Western Cape Education Department spokesperson, says they are grateful for SAPS’ involvement: “We are grateful for any interventions from SAPS making our schools safer, welcoming further collaborations.”