FROM CAUSING TEARS OF LAUGHTER, TO BEING THE CRUSADER IN PREVENTING TEARS OF PAIN
From a Glendale high matriculant to becoming the Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety
Reagen Allen was born on 25 May 1984 in Rocklands Mitchells Plain. He then moved to Bridgetown to reside at the Impact Centre, which partnered with the City Mission (JC Williams Children’s House). Minister Allen then moved back to Mitchell’s Plain before getting married to Edwinah Allen in 2013
From a Glendale high matriculant to becoming the Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety
Reagen Allen was born on 25 May 1984 in Rocklands Mitchells Plain. He then moved to Bridgetown to reside at the Impact Centre, which partnered with the City Mission (JC Williams Children’s House). Minister Allen then moved back to Mitchell’s Plain before getting married to Edwinah Allen in 2013
He graduated from the DA's Young Leaders Programme in 2012. He studied at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Germany, while he served as the DA's Youth National Media and Publicity chairperson.
Fulfilling various operational roles within the Democratic Alliance, over more than 10 years, Minister Allen has and will continue to diligently serve his constituents and the greater Western Cape with the care, integrity, accountability, responsiveness, competence, and innovation it requires.
A little fun fact about Reagan is that he initially began his career as a comedian. He won the Cape Town Comedy Club's 2018 #yourfunnycider competition, he was also nominated for a Comics Choice Award 2019.
Allen himself has likened himself to Lincoln, sporting the same-styled beard and hairstyle. Lincoln was a self-taught lawyer legislator who spoke against slavery and was elected the 16th president of the United States of America in 1860.
Allen is working on creating a revolution and change in community safety by working on the grounds and in the streets.
“If there is anything that a man can do well, I say, let him do it. Give him a chance.”
The quote by Abraham Lincoln are some of the words of inspiration Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC Reagen Allen lives by.
A year after he was sworn in, Allen visited and assessed 107 police stations, had 69 community engagements and monitored close to 700 criminal matters at 55 courts and 64 GBV cases.
“I am particularly encouraged that we have been able to strengthen working relationships with all stakeholders, including the SAPS.”
Allen, 38, is no stranger to the portfolio as he served as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee of Community Safety and Cultural Affairs and Sport since June 2019 and has been a member of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature since December 2018
Allen added he believed in an open door policy and listening to the man on the street by working closely with safety structures in the communities.
“I wanted to ensure transparency while opening our doors so that we are accessible. I wanted the broader community to be reminded that the fight against crime is not a ‘one-person’ job. Instead, it requires all of us to put our shoulders to the wheel if we are to combat this evil that is plaguing our society. In practical terms, this means patrolling with neighbourhood watches, CPF’s and various other safety stakeholders. It also meant visiting SAPS stations to ascertain what the realities are for officers and how the public is being assisted.”
When not focusing on crime and safety, Allen spends time with his wife and has a love for dogs and soccer: “I enjoy watching soccer, and it affords me 90 minutes to ‘switch off’ and enjoy a game of football to the extent where my leg kicks involuntarily when I want a player to pass or shoot.
CONTACT DETAILS:
071 575 0016
021 487 1831
reagen.allen@wcpp.gov.za
SOURCE
www.iol.co.za/weekend-arguS
wikipedia