Cluster campaign a real eye opener

Youth Desk officers were armed with a microphone and ready to make a difference during a crime and drug awareness campaign held last week.

More than 50 law enforcement officials from police stations within the Newcastle cluster came together at Siyahlala-la to brief the community of pertinent issues like drugs and crime prevention.

Officers from the following stations were actively involved in the campaign:

– Charlestown

– Ingogo

– Utrecht

– Groenvlei

– Normandien

– oSizweni

– Madadeni

– Newcastle

Police set out to educate the community on contact crimes like robbery, assault, domestic violence, stock theft and malicious damage to property.

Crime Policing Forum and Youth Desk coordinator, Captain Nhlanhla Dlamini warned residents to be on the lookout for sex offenders and those looking to sell stolen goods. He claimed purchasing stolen property was just as illegal as stealing the item themself.

“Those who are buying stolen goods encourage the robberies and if caught they will be held liable for theft exactly as the one who sold the items to him or her,” said Capt Dlamini.

The next stop on the list was Lincoln Heights Secondary School, where an extensive search was conducted before the presentation.

“The crime awareness project is aimed at creating general awareness around cluster stations and targeting those stations with specific crimes that are stubborn (sic),” said SAPS spokesperson, Captain Shooz Magudulela.

The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit made their presence known during the campaign in areas were rape and domestic violence remain prevalent. All-inclusive presentations were also conducted at the taxi rank and in the Central Business District.

The community commended police on shedding light on prominent issues faced by residents on a daily basis. Their efforts have certainly not gone unnoticed.