Developments to place strain on SAPS
Benoni CPF cluster chairperson Stan Boss is in the process of gathering information to determine the impact building developments will have on the Crystal Park Police Station’s ability to fight crime.
This is in light of the construction of the megamall and the construction of 4 200 residential units in Crystal Park by the end of 2017 – both within the Crystal Park SAPS precinct.
‘‘The purpose of this investigation is to make a presentation to the provincial SAPS management, as well as the EMPD, to get them to wake up now and help us to prepare for what is coming,’’ said Boss.
‘‘Ekurhuleni carries on expanding northwards, and that is where we are.
‘‘Nobody appears to be looking at the big picture, only at their small confined areas, and I can only see problems ahead.’’
Crystal Park SAPS media liaison officer Tryna Maritz said the station will be “at risk’’ and that there will be a ‘‘rise in crime’’ due to the construction of the megamall.
She said the provincial office will conduct a study on the station’s shortcomings and, if needs be, will provide the station with additional resources.
According to Boss, the station is staffed by 90 members, of whom 25 are civilians.
These include 17 detectives and 55 active, uniformed members split over four shifts.
‘‘The station is already stretched to its limit,’’ he added.
‘‘Each shift has a maximum of 10 members who have to man the station and the four sectors which cover an area of 210 square kilometres.
‘‘We try per shift to put out four vehicles – two per vehicle and two in the station.’’
Maritz was unable to supply the police-to-citizen ration in the Crystal Park SAPS precinct and the SAPS provincial office, while Lieut Col Lungelo Dlamini said he is unable to release the ratio.
The provincial ratio is 1:277 (one officer for 277 residents).
