Sector 3 Crime Forum works with McDonald’s Midridge to fight crime
Sector 3 Crime Forum chairperson says the erection of a fence has drastically reduced crime on Lever and 12th Roads.
The Sector 3 Crime Forum and Midrand SAPS are working with the International Business Gateway (IBG) and MacDonald’s Midridge to address opportunistic crime.
Forum chairperson Dinesh Sekdeo said following an incident of theft out of a motor vehicle opened at SAPS, which occurred at the fast-food franchise, this was brought to the attention of the forum.
He said the forum, through their public relations officer Michael Goh, who then contacted the manager of McDonald’s Midrridge Ronald Malimatswana, who put them in touch with the managing agent for the IBG
“I then contacted Suelette [Pretorius] from Actual Property management and arranged a meeting, which was attended by Sector 3 manager Sergeant Ngwako Matlhatlha and Thorburn Security representative. Pretorius and Thorburn were open to working with us and very quickly arranged short-term and long-term solutions,” said Sekdoe.
He said, for the short-term, Thorburn did security assessments and ensured that security vehicles would do mandatory check-ins at the Macdonald’s Midridge precinct.
“In the long term, the IBG agreed to fence off the precinct to avoid easy access to Lever and 12th Roads. The fence was erected within a short space of time and has assisted in reducing the opportunistic crime in the precinct,” he said.
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Sekdeo said the willingness and openness of Actual Property management, Thorburn, and the IBG to working with the forum and police is very encouraging and great appreciated.
He said this is a clear example of where multiple parties can seamlessly work together to make the area safer for everyone.
Security tips community members should be aware of:
• Be vigilant and aware of the surrounding at drive-throughs,
• Avoid using mobile devices while waiting at a drive-throughs, especially with open windows,
• If you are parking in public places ensure that mobile devices and laptops left in vehicles are completely turned-off, not just put to sleep. Lots of times mobile features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi adapters remain active and criminals utilise this to detect which vehicles have devices for easy picking,
• Place mobile devices and laptops out of sight and easy access, and
• Ensure all doors and windows are locked before leaving the vehicle. While inconvenient, check every door. Criminals are quick to partially open a door before remote locking.
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