Janu-worry shows in crime stats
While many crimes decreased, some increased drastically and are points of concern to stakeholders.
While crime statistics generally look good in Brakpan, there was a concerning increase in some crimes during January compared to last January.
This was shared at the monthly SAPS stakeholders’ meeting on January 22 at the State Mines Country Club. In the past month, there have been six cases of assault to commit grievous bodily harm (GBH), 26 common assault cases, 14 malicious damage to property, and 15 residential burglary cases.
There were also two business burglary cases, 12 theft of motor vehicle cases, 30 commercial crimes, six hijackings, and two truck hijacking cases.
There have not yet been any cases of house robbery reported this month, which is a good sign, according to Captain Pieter Booysen from the Brakpan crime intelligence office.
Business burglaries occurred most commonly between 16:00 and 21:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Brakpan CBD and Van Eck Park.
Residential burglaries occur on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, mostly on Fridays between midnight and 06:00, and then between 16:00 and midnight.
Current target areas are Brakpan CBD, Brenthurst, Dalview, and Anzac. Theft of motor vehicles occurred mostly on Fridays, Saturdays and Wednesdays between 10:00 and 12:00, and 20:00 to 21:00. The CBD, Mall@Carnival, Brenthurst and Rooikraal are the problem areas.
Theft out of motor vehicle cases mostly happened on Saturdays and Sundays, in Dalview, Dalpark and at shopping centres throughout town, mostly between 21:00 and midnight and 15:00 and 20:00.
Assault and domestic violence were off to a bad start of the year, with four cases reported between midnight and 01:00 on New Year’s Day alone.
General theft is also a big problem, with 35 cases compared to 20 in January last year. The assault went from eight cases last January to 20 this January and fraud cases from 13 to 21.
Attendees of the stakeholders’ meeting noted illegal dumping has decreased somewhat since the reopening of the Weltevreden Landfill Site, and the reporting of vehicles involved in illegal dumping to the EMPD.
Inspector Imaraan Timms from the EMPD informed those in attendance that they trace the vehicle owners and issue a fine, anywhere from R500 for a first offence up to R1 500 as the maximum.
In some cases, they cannot track down the owner because of false number plates or changes in ownership that were not documented properly.
A problem area is Minnebron, with many people dumping building rubble near the Van Eck Substation, because of the Minnebron mini dumpsite not taking building rubble.
The public will be glad to know, however, that the Weltevreden Landfill does take building rubble. The CPF noted they sometimes struggle with getting police backup in cases of domestic violence or dangerous scenes, and it was mentioned such instances will be investigated.
Riaan van Zyl spoke as a PR councillor, and on behalf of Clean Brakpan, and the Brakpan SPCA. Clean Brakpan is perpetually struggling with failing equipment and still relies heavily on donations, but what seems to be helping is the parks department cutting grass in some places.
The SPCA’s only vehicle is broken, and they are still reeling from the theft of their beloved resident goats. They rely on the limited availability of the NSPCA vehicle, and to make matters worse, there has been an increase in cruelty and other complaints.
In other crime news, the attendees heard a lone thief was robbing mostly women of their cellphones. A vehicle was identified with video evidence, which was shared with SAPS. They will be watching closely for that vehicle to arrest the perpetrator.
