Radios are an effective crime-fighting tool
“The successes we see now are because of good relationships and communication.”
Attendees at last week’s Brakpan SAPS Business Forum meeting were praised by station management for playing their part in helping reduce crime in Brakpan.
The meeting was held in the boardroom of the police station on Thursday afternoon and was attended by owners and representatives from local transport companies and security providers.
The aim of the meetings, which are held regularly, is to bring businesses and the SAPS together where plans of action are put in place to address crime issues affecting them.
According to Brakpan Police Station commander Brig Fredl Jonck, who chaired the meeting, there has been a decrease in crime in the Witpoort/Withok areas and surroundings – where many of the transport companies are situated – since the inception of the forum.
Businesses in these areas were recently plagued by a spate of armed robberies and truck tyre thefts.
“Before we started the meetings, there were incidents on a weekly basis,” said Jonck.
“The successes we see now are because of good relationships and communication.”
Since the last meeting on February 27, the forum has implemented the use of radios as a means of communication between the transport companies, security providers and SAPS.
Read: Drivers “late for work” arrested for speeding
Their introduction, as well as other methods of communication and increased visibility and patrols, has seen a drop in crime in the Witpoort/Withok area, as the statistics provided by police, show:
November 27, 2018, to February 26, 2019:
• Burglary at business premises: 7
• Carjacking: 4
• Burglary at residential premises: 3
• Robbery with firearm: 2
• Attempted murder: 2
• Murder: 2
• Theft out of motor vehicle (also goods from the back of LDV): 1
• Theft from a motor vehicle (parts and accessories): 1
• Rape: 1
• Business robbery: 1
The total number of cases reported was 24.
March 1, 2019, to April 24:
• Robbery with firearm: 2
• Burglary at business premises: 2
• Burglary at residential premises: 2
• House robbery: 2
• Theft out of motor vehicle (also goods from the back of LDV): 1
• Rape: 1
The total number of cases reported was 11.
The affected streets were Floors Street and Denne and Vlakfontein roads, and cash, tools, cellphones and shoes were amongst the items stolen.
While the improvement in the statistics was welcomed, Jonck believes more can be done.
“There are so many security companies operating in Brakpan, yet crime is still not at an acceptable rate,” he said.
“People are paying for security, but it’s not helping.
“We do, however, appreciate the security companies who are working with us and those who attend these meetings all the time.”
He urged security companies to ensure their guards and employees are vetted and screened.
“You have to screen them properly because most of the time, criminals have inside information,” he said.
He explained this also applies to residents when hiring a domestic worker, gardener or casual labourers.
Jonck requested the transport companies to warn their drivers to be vigilant when travelling along Heidelberg Road (R23), which has been identified as a hijacking hotspot with the perpetrators masquerading as law enforcers.
“People must not stop for unmarked police vehicles along this road and must drive to the nearest police station,” he said.
In closing, the station commander reiterated that more companies and security providers are needed to join the forum.
“We must try and get everyone here, so we can make Brakpan a safer place,” he said.
“I just want the crime to come down in Brakpan.
“To me, this is about the life of people and that is more important than anything else; business interests and other issues must be put aside.”
For more information about the forum, contact the police station on 011 744 7136/7100.
Also read: Weekend crime round-up
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