Communities encouraged to band together to fight crime
Combined sector meeting reveals all suburbs of Brakpan are dealing with similar crime trends.
Load-shedding last Wednesday evening did little to deter residents from all areas of Brakpan from attending a combined sector meeting at Dalpark Secondary School with Brakpan SAPS sector managers and CPF sector leaders.
According to Sector 1 manager Constable Audrey Buthelezi, the crime overview from sector managers and CPF sector chairs was identical, which signifies that the four Brakpan sectors are faced with similar crime challenges.
Some crimes, however, are more prevalent in other sectors.
The four sectors of Brakpan are:
• Sector 1: Brakpan CBD, Brakpan West (dam), Anzac, Brakpan East (Power Street to Bedford Street, Voortrekker Road to Boundary Road) and Brakpan North.
• Sector 2: Dalview, Denneoord, Kenleaf, Larrendale, Dalpark, Dalpark Ext Five, Minnebron, Rand Collieries, Sunair Park, Sonneveld, Van Eck Park Ext Two, and Sallies Ext Three and Four.
• Sector 3: Brenthurst, Vulcania, Maryvlei Industrial, Sallies Village, Mkhankwa Village, Sallies Hostel, Ergo Plant, Vulcania South and Western Platinum.
• Sector 4: Leachville Ext One, Two and Three, Flamingo Ridge, Dalpark Ext One, Six, Nine, 11 and 13, Helderwyk and the Carnival City area.
“Sector 1 was sketched as a crime contributing area and it was also highlighted that the current dominating crimes are house burglary and theft,” said Buthelezi.
“Sector 4’s Dalpark Ext Six, Nine and 11 were also highlighted as concerning, primarily with house burglaries that occur during the day, hijackings and common robbery.
“Other criminal activities highlighted by the residents were escalating illegal mining, cable theft, illegal street vendors, drug dealers and illegal immigrants.”
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It was suggested that residents must start street patrols and that communities come together and seek donations or even negotiate with security companies for monitored street cameras.
It was also proposed that communities consider enclosing their areas and for communities to join forces with neighbouring suburbs and create patrol rosters to increase visibility in all areas.
Residents were furthermore encouraged to become CPF members and to advise and encourage young people to join the youth desk, in order for a safer Brakpan.
