Communities need to stand together to curb crime

Putfontein SAPS spokesperson Const Raider Ubisi said community participation is fundamental in curbing crime rates.

“A main challenge in the area is housebreakings and theft, but at present this is manageable,” said Ubisi.

“We encourage the community to work together by looking out for their neighbours’ properties as well and to report any suspicious activity to the police.

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“We are encouraging community members to take back their streets from criminals and not be bullied by them.”

According to Ubisi, community outreach programmes, known as imbizos, which the Putfontein SAPS have embarked on since June have been fruitful in terms of tackling other areas of crime.

“The outreach programmes consist of various stakeholders, such as SAPS, EMPD, Gauteng Community Safety, the Gauteng Legislature, Correctional Services, CPF members, ward councillors and consumer rights groups.

Ubisi added that members of the public are urged to report domestic violence at their nearest police station.

“The Putfontein SAPS social crime prevention unit is working hard to tackle crimes associated with gender-based violence,” said Ubisi.

“The unit, led by Const Nelly Modiba, are educating the community about domestic violence through our community outreach programmes.

“We encourage everyone, irrespective of gender, to report gender-based crimes.”

Ubisi said Putfontein SAPS station commander Lt Col Wellington Mathiane has also engaged with liquor outlet owners to assist in fighting contact crimes, such as rape, assault, robbery and murder, as liquor outlets usually generate these types of crime.

“They were also warned to adhere to and familiarise themselves with the Liquor Act.

“Further to this, we are actively involved in curbing substance abuse. We are working with the youth to encourage them to abstain from using and dealing illegal substances.

“We have also conducted school searches to confiscate illegal items brought to school by the learners.

“We are extending our reach to all areas within the community and will continue to reduce crime rates.

“The station commander is also happy with the outreach programmes as we have seen a decrease in crime rates since the start of the imbizos.”