Measures in place to reduce crime in Jeppe SAPS precinct

This is from Brigadier Govindsamy Mariemuthoo, the acting station commander of the Jeppe SAPS, in response to last week’s to questions about the station’s crime statistics recently released by SAPS.

Statistics for the period April 2011 to March 2012 and April 2012 to March 2013 showed that most crimes within the Jeppe SAPS precinct increased.

Brig Mariemuthoo, who was only appointed to the Jeppe SAPS in May, said he put measures in place since his arrival to reduce crime.

Sexual crimes, attempted murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, common robbery and robbery with aggravating circumstances, burglary at non-residential premises, theft of and out of motor vehicles, robbery at residential and non-residential premises and kidnapping increased.

Crimes that decreased include murder, common assault, arson, malicious damage to property, burglary at residential premises and vehicle hijackings. Brig Mariemuthoo said he is concerned about the increases. He would also like to see crimes that have shown a decrease, reduced further.

“I am happy that inroads were made, but the spike in certain crimes is a concern. We will pursue and adopt strategies to decrease crime. While we prevent and detect crime, we also look at the root cause of the crimes committed. We have to work with other role players to address factors that contribute to crime. We can achieve a reduction in crime through the proper use of the resources available to us. We also have to improve our investigations, intensify operations and enforcement. Quite often, crimes committed are not committed by once-off offenders. We also recently arrested suspects for a robbery. After they were arrested, robberies in the precinct decreased. The community can also help by providing information,” said Brig Mariemuthoo.

Residents also have to be vigilant and stop putting themselves in situations that could lead to them becoming victims.

“Management is committed to fighting crime but we need assistance. We still find people sitting in their vehicles in unsafe areas or parking their vehicles in unsafe areas. People also leave their house doors and security gates open. They can assist by taking precautions,” said Brig Mariemuthoo.

The Jeppe SAPS will soon be recruiting reservists and he urges people to join the fight against crime. Brig Mariemuthoo said sector managers and vehicles are patrolling their areas.

“If people say they do not see sector vehicles in their area, we can investigate this. We can pull a print out to determine where the sector vehicles were. People must also be advised that there are occasions when a sector vehicle will not be in the area. They may be at a scene. However, this does not mean there are no other police officers in the area. Police officers in unmarked vehicles are deployed and there are other officers who are tasked with special duties throughout the precinct. We do not neglect areas,” said Brig Mariemuthoo.

He urged people to report all crimes. “However, it must be noted that we will not tolerate people who open false cases. If our investigations show a case was falsely opened, we will charge them with defeating the ends of justice,’ he said.

He added that people must also be aware that cases opened for assaults, such as domestic violence, will not be dropped at their request. They will have to go to court.

“We have done a lot and have more plans. Hopefully the statistics will be better next year,” said Brig Mariemuthoo.