Byron de Villiers, chairman Lentegeur Community Police Forum
We can only thank the Plainsman for its continued support.
There have been highs and lows, but, thanks to the Plainsman, we are able to bring our message to the communities.
Sandy Schuter, chairperson of Strandfontein Community Police Forum
I have been involved in my community for 13 years and are well acquainted with the Plainsman.
Different reporters over the years have become part of the Strandfontein CPF family.
We could always rely on the Plainsman to provide full coverage of every story that happened within the community.
I have always had awesome experiences with them, whether it was searching for missing people, standing at murder scenes, doing beach patrols and foot beats with various other safety agencies, awareness campaigns and drug busts.
The Plainsman reporters always ensured that the information captured, reflected what the commu-nity saw and felt.
Having the Plainsman as part of our family has played a vital role in creating awareness, especially around crime or crime-prevention initiatives.
They attend most of our community meetings, allowing those who are unable to attend to stay up to date with what is happening.
I remember we were covering a specific problem area in Strandfontein, and we had a reporter with us and discussed the problem to get the attention of the authorities.
The Plainsman walked the road with the CPF when we fought for the athaan to be restored, and today, our community is more tolerant (“Call-to-prayer petition”, December 12 2018).
The Plainsman has a role to play in sensitising our community to what is happening on their door-step and calling on our com-munity to take hands with us in the fight against crime.
The Plainsman was very instrumental in uniting our community through the community newspaper; you have reached places we could not.
Our journey with the Plainsman has been amazing.
We have created a scrapbook documenting crime reports and CPF interventions covered in the Plainsman. Now, looking at the reports and people we have lost and gained during the fight against crime and grime in the area brought me to tears.
The fight against crime is personal – many people only get involved once it affects them, and thanks to the Plainsman, residents have been made to feel this communal responsibility.
On behalf of the Strandfontein CPF and our community safety structures, we want to thank you for being the newspaper that reports and captures the happenings in our beautiful community.
Thank you to the reporters for their friendliness and for always keeping in touch with us.
Happy anniversary.
Abie Isaacs, chairman of Mitchell’s Plain Community Police Forum
The Mitchell’s Plain Community Police Forum want to extend birthday wishes to the Plainsman.
We have built a strong working relationship with the the paper over the years.
We firmly believe the community has the right to be kept informed about safety-and-security issues affecting Mitchell’s Plain, and the Plainsman has done just that.
As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of this gigantic local newspaper, we will continue to keep the community abreast of matters concerning safety and security.