Crime boards take ‘tip-offs’ to a new level

Have you ever noticed the crime reporting boards outside Pick n Pay outlets in Newcastle?

While many apparently consider the anonymous tip-off board a ‘gimmick’, SAPS spokesperson, Captain Shooz Magudulela recently confirmed just how effective and necessary they actually are.

In a media enquiry addressed to police, the Newcastle Advertiser sought to uncover how often the boards were emptied and whether or not any solid leads ever came from them.

Unsure at first, Capt. Magudulela said the boards were sponsored and that the SAPS did not have keys to retrieve the information.

Making it somewhat of a personal ‘mission’, Capt. Magudela investigated the matter further, citing his interest in the ‘crime boxes’ as a deciding factor.

“I was interested to find out more about these boards,” he said. “During the course of the investigation, I found that a tender had been awarded to a man named Johan van Wyk, who installed the crime boards at Pick n Pay stores nationwide.”

According to the Department of Police, ‘the crime reporting board project is a collaborative effort between the SAPS and businesses’.

Capt. Magudulela explained the boards were emptied regularly. The information was then forwarded to the national police service.

“The information is verified at our head office in Pretoria. Thereafter, tip-offs are sent back to us to follow up and investigate.”

Listing three locations in Newcastle, he said the community should make use of the crime boards at O’Crusty’s, Hutten Heights and Scott Street.

“We’d like to encourage the community to utilise these boards properly. They are very effective!” exclaimed Capt Magudulela.

The boards serve as a medium of anonymous communication between police and the community.

“The use of these boards could potentially skyrocket in the coming months and essentially assist in combating crime in Newcastle. What more could we ask for? Let’s make use of them!” concluded a resident.