Most of you know me by now, if not personally, then from the stories I have written for local newspapers over the past six years. I started blogging for Crime Crier when the website first saw the light but after a few months, was unable to continue thanks to heavier work commitments. The good news (and I hope you concur) is that I am now a free agent! Jip, I have decided to brave the world of journalism on my own as a freelance journalist.
There is a whole new world lying ahead of me. So many things to do, to know and to report on! Of course, those who know me are aware that I have a passion for all things criminal (lol). Crime, the prevention thereof and all the admirable people (and the handful of corrupt people) involved in preventing it in our community is still what makes me tick (some things never change).
Anyway, enough about that … I think you get my point.
Now that I am able to manage my own time, I have so much more of it and have realised what an integral part of our lives crime is. Oh, I’m not talking murder and mayhem although goodness knows that occurs too often in our community anyway.
I’m talking about crimes such as our mail being stolen out of the mailbox, of our security lights, gates and intercoms being damaged, of graffiti on our walls, of people urinating and/or drinking in public, of people who litter. These are just some of the petty crimes that often mess up what could otherwise have been a lovely day.
Then there are those things that are not crimes but that should be: The state of our city’s streets, the unkempt public parks, being cheated by the municipality, poor service delivery not only from government but also the private sector … the list is practically endless.
In six years of community journalism I have heard a lot of moaning and complaining about all of the above. But the biggest crime is that not one complainer is willing to do anything to change things. Our police and many municipal officials as well as other emergency services, non-profit organisations, corporate companies and private businesses have all come to the party with various plans to fight all crime, to no avail. Why? Because people like us, the community, the common man and woman, “Jan & San Alleman” find it easier to complain instead of do something.
My first editor (boss) I had (don’t look too far to identify him) used to say: “My door is always open if you have a problem, as long as you have some suggestions on how to resolve it.”
So here’s my suggestion: They say knowledge is power. So let’s really get to know what’s going on in our city. Forewarned is forearmed. You might not have time to phone/write/e-mail your friends but I know you will have time to add a quick warning/tip-off to this blog. From there we can cover a much larger audience, by using other social media networks such as Facebook.
Let’s give it a try and succeed where so many have failed. FIGHT CRIME FOR REAL!
