Sector 3 Community Police Forum (CPF) and security companies, including Tactical Reaction Services, RSS Security and Chubb Security, met with residents from the sector.
The sector’s CPF chairperson Mokete Makubakube said WhatsApp groups had been key in alerting residents of crime trends and hotspots.
Makubakube said, “Be part of such informative groups as tip-offs are quickly sent to the groups. We also have compiled a database for Country View which is new to the sector.”
He revealed that crime had dropped in free-standing properties within the area, however, a sharp rise had been noted in complexes. The forum is in talks with corporate bodies of complexes to work together so as to be proactive in curbing crime.
He also urged residents to take back ownership of the park by making use of it with their families. Makubakube said this would discourage criminals from using it to commit crimes within it or as a hideaway.
CPF public relations officer, Tanya Nyce, said it was worth noting that residents were not totally helpless with regards to crime anymore. “People are now fighting crime by being the eyes and ears of the community,” she said.
Sergeant Molema Nametso, the sector’s commander, gave a brief overview of crime in the sector, comparing last year’s October statistics to this year’s. He said, “Compared to October last year, crime in October this year has reduced. Last year, total crimes committed in the sector was 264 and this past October there were 250. Property crimes reported were 27 and contact crimes were 15.”
Nametso added that police had identified Lever, 14th, Acacia and Olifantsfontein roads as crime hotspots. He said most crimes were reported between 4pm to 8pm after people returned home from work and found their property had been broken into.
Midrand Police Station commander, Colonel Steven Moodley, addressed the concerns residents had about the park and crime in the sector. He also assured residents that police do care about curbing crime and would continue to patrol the park and make sure that criminals are arrested.
Concerns raised during the meeting include:
- No safe places or recreational areas for children to play
- Domestic workers are often victims in house break-ins
- Drugs and prostitution at Noordwyk Park
- Patrolling within the area
- Muggings in open spaces.
Details: Sector 3 WhatsApp groups: 084 625 6256; 072 625 9010.
Did you attend the sector’s public meeting? What other concerns do you have about the areas within Sector 3? Tell us on the Midrand Reporter Facebook page
