The Edenvale SAPS partnered with the churches of Edenvale last year to launch the community’s own crime tip-off line.
This pilot project aims to give residents a direct, anonymous, link to the SAPS for crime tip-offs.
The phone will be manned by two officers 24 hours a day.
“We will only accept tips-offs from Edenvale. Unfortunately, we have received crime tip-offs from other areas including Benoni and while we can pass the information on, we do not have the manpower to follow-up on whether arrest have been made,” said the Edenvale SAPS head of crime prevention, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberts.
Residents are also asked not to send ‘please call me’s’ to the number. All tip-offs will be kept anonymous to protect whistle-blowers.
Residents who would like to submit an anonymous tip-off to the number can either phone or sms the number.
Keep in mind that information needs to be detailed and should include an address, a detailed description of the crime being committed as well as the time.
Where-ever possible, also include a description of the person or people breaking the law.
In the event the phone is not answered, residents are asked to leave a detailed message for the officers.
In the last year, the Edenvale SAPS reported an increase in the community’s involvement in fighting crime.
“Every week more residents are standing up against crime and reporting suspicious activity. This project will simply make it easier for residents to report crimes and suspicious activity to us,” said Lt Col Roberts.
Due to the number of tip-offs received from the community, the Edenvale SAPS has made more arrests.
“Information from the community is important to us and our community is a vital part of fighting crime in Edenvale. Every tip-off is followed up and in more than 90 percent of cases reported, an arrest is made,” said Lt Col Roberts.
He urged residents to save the Edenvale crime tip-off number 011 056-8886 on their cellular phones.
“Do not let the number put you off. It is in fact a cellular phone and can receive text messages,” said Lt Col Roberts.
