Elsie Adamo
THERE is no end in sight to Kalangadoo’s five-year wait to determine if the town’s police station will be reopened.
The station has been left unoccupied since its police officer left in January 2017, but never officially closed by SA Police. Instead, the building has been left dormant for five years, pending the results of a review into regional policing.
Kalangadoo’s community was promised by the SA Liberal party if voted into Government in the 2018 election it would be reopened, but no attempt was made to do so.
The Regional Policing Review has been underway for years but was put on hold in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Border Watch was told the report was in its final stages in September 2021, but 11 months later, the review outcomes are still to be released.
SAPOL did not respond when asked when outcomes of the review could be expected.
“The date for the release of the Regional Policing Review outcomes has not yet been determined,” a police spokesperson said.
“The Kalangadoo Police Station is part of the ongoing review of all Regional Policing Services by the Regional Review Project. The Kalangadoo response area will continue to be covered by the neighbouring police station of Millicent.”
A Regional Policing Review consultation paper dated February 2020, which was obtained by a freedom of information request, suggested one and two-person police station’s may be scrapped after future reviews to better centralise operations.
Member for McKillop Nick McBride said he is aware the report has been drafted, but has not been alerted to its outcomes.
“I understand it is up to the Commissioner of Police to release,” Mr McBride said.
“It has always been my view that local police services should be maintained in our community, especially in regional areas. When in Government, I had numerous conversations with the then Police Minister regarding the review – and the future of the Kalangadoo Police Station.
“I do believe that we need to have clarity about the future of this station, and policing in regional areas in general. I look forward to hearing the outcome of the review, which is now long overdue.
“If the review has been finalised – the public should be able to access it.”
