Public gives crime awareness campaign thumbs up
Suspect arrested during awareness campaign
IN an effort to prevent crime the Berea SAPS together with the Berea Community Policing Forum and other roleplayers conducted an awareness campaign at the weekend.
The campaign was aimed at alerting the public to opportunistic crimes prevalent in the area and to also provide tips to the community on how they can help in the fight against crime.
The tips were shared with the public via a pamphlets drop at high population areas like Musgrave, Overport, Windermere and Florida Roads.
CPF chair Paul Antao said: “Usually our focus is crime detection and arrests. However this is reactive and after the fact. The key to actual success in reducing stats is crime prevention. This is achieved through awareness, it is also an opportunity to connect and interact with the community.”
Captain PN Naidoo of Berea SAPS advised the community to be alert at all times. “Criminals are everywhere and you never know who is watching you,” he said. While the team was interacting with the community at Essenwood Market, a suspect who had allegedly broken into three cars along Currie Road, ran into the park and was quickly arrested by SAPS officers.
There was also positive feedback from the public, with many applauding the crime awareness initiative. “This is spectacular and very welcome in our area. Thank you! Please do more of these,” said one restaurant patron.
“More operations are planned and the information we gathered from the public during this operation will help us in moving forward,” said Antao.
