In order to Reduce and Prevent Crime, Community Police Forums look at the Root Causes of different Crimes and try to address those Root Causes through various Projects & Campaigns.
Here are examples of some Crimes with some of their Root Causes and a few Possible Solutions that can help reduce those Crimes. These are not the only solutions, but only examples of what the CPF can get involved in.
| CRIME | ROOT CAUSES | POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS |
| Burglary at Houses | Poor situational awareness, Soft targets, Poor security measures, Uninvolved neighbors, Poor lighting, Unemployment, Poverty, Substance Abuse | Education Campaigns, Awareness Campaigns, Security Audits, Projects to Install lights, Co-operation with Social Development and Social Workers, Community Patrols etc |
| Burglary at Businesses | Poor situational awareness, Soft targets, Poor security measures, Uninvolved business owners / managers, Unemployment, Poverty, Substance Abuse | Education Campaigns, Awareness Campaigns, Security Audits, Co-operation with Social Development and Social Workers, Patrols by Owners/Managers, Hiring 24 Hr Security Guards etc |
| Theft out of Motor Vehicles | Careless behavior by motorists, Leaving valuable items in plain sight, Poor situational awareness, Unemployment, Poverty, Substance Abuse | Education Campaigns, Awareness Campaigns, Spot Check Community Patrols, Co-operation with Social Development and Social Workers etc |
| Theft from Motor Vehicles | Careless behavior by motorists (Truck Drivers), Leaving valuable items in plain sight, Poor situational awareness, Unemployment, Poverty, Substance Abuse | Education Campaigns, Awareness Campaigns, Safe Parking Community Campaigns, Co-operation with Social Development and Social Workers, Community Patrols etc |
| Robbery | Poor situational awareness, Unemployment, Poverty, Substance Abuse, Careless behavior | Education Campaigns, Awareness Campaigns, Co-operation with Social Development and Social Workers, Community Patrols etc |
Community Police Forum Harrismith 