Sea Point police has welcomed back a familiar face, Lieutenant Colonel Johan Pentz, as the new acting station commander, who officially took office on Monday, March 23.
After a year and three-month stint at Woodstock Police Station, Lieutenant Colonel Penz returns to Sea Point, where he served for 32 years and developed a deep understanding of the area’s unique policing needs, particularly its demanding role as an “event station” in addition to routine policing duties.
On Thursday, April 9, Sea Point community police forum (CPF) hosted its first meeting for 2026, which coincided with the Lieutenant Colonel's first meeting.
He outlined his vision, emphasising a commitment to structure, positivity, and most importantly, robust community involvement to bring about change in the precinct.
"I like things to be in order," he said and highlighted his commitment to doing things correctly and according to structure, while maintaining an open-door policy for the community.
A key priority for the new commander is the full activation and restructuring of the three sub-sectors within the CPF.
Lieutenant Colonel Pentz said that the sectors were not fully operational, which he believes undermines the original goal of dividing the station area into smaller, more manageable policing units
"The CPF is a community police forum," he said.
"It is run by the community, and it partners with the police. We need the community to assist us in addressing crime," he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Pentz called on passionate and committed residents, business owners, security companies, schools, and religious leaders within the three sectors - including Green Point, Sea Point, and Three Anchor Bay to step forward.
He stressed the need for community members to volunteer to chair and run their respective sub-sectors, recruiting a strong contingent of residents.
The goal is to create fully functional sector meetings that mirror the success of other areas, allowing the police to communicate effectively, share good practices, and expand their "eyes and ears" on the ground.
He committed to attending every sector meeting personally, offering feedback and working hand-in-hand with the community-driven bodies to curb crime.
He said with 15 new constables completing their training at the station by the end of June, the timing was perfect for the community to rally behind its new leader and establish the strong partnership needed to ensure Sea Point remains a safe and vibrant community.
Sea Point CPF chairman Simon Dipenaar said that he was excited to have Lieutenant Colonel Pentz on board and that they would work alongside him.
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