SUNNY RIDGE – Lizzy Arumugam of SAPS Corporate Communications, confirmed police have noticed a significant increase in burglaries in recent weeks.
“We have noticed an increase specifically in Hutten Heights, Aviary Hill, Arbor Park and Sunny Ridge. As a result, police are conducting more patrols,” she said.
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Although a number of perpetrators have been arrested, she could not confirm how many.
Despite more police patrols, residents continue to fear for their safety.
“We are in trouble!” exclaimed a resident, Barbara Elliot.
Ms Elliot’s home was burgled in mid-April; an incident which has left her and her family reeling from shock. “The burglars kicked in the burglar guards at my bedroom window, ransacked my house and killed my dog in the process,” she explained.
Ms Elliot’s one-year-old Jack Russell, Ally, was apparently kicked to death by the perpetrators.
“She was a very special dog. We adopted her from the SPCA and she truly meant a lot to us. My children and I are heartbroken about her death.”
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Devastated about having her house burgled and dog killed, Ms Elliot’s house was recently targeted again.
“Three men came to my house last week, all dressed in hoodies. I was out of town, but my son was at home when they tried to get in.”
Fearing for his safety, Ms Elliot’s son called her, before notifying the family’s security provider, who rushed to the Elliot household, after contacting the police. Alas, the suspects managed to escape.
Perturbed by the audacity of the men, Ms Elliot took to social media and warned the community.
It was then she found she was not alone.
Tommy Goosen said his home had been targeted four times in six months.
“The first time was in October last year. Since then I have had people getting into my yard twice, and on the fourth time, they cleared my home,” he said.
The burglars stole a hi-fi, projector, microwave, clothing, pillows, duvets and even the food from the freezer.
“They jumped over my fence and broke the gate motor so they could slide the gate open, bring their car in and take my belongings.”
Mr Goosen said while it was traumatic to have one’s house burgled twice, what perturbed him the most was that it took place in broad daylight.
“It occurred at 3pm. My wife was on her way home with the children; what if the burglars had been there when my family got home?” he asked.
Sharon van der Walt believes crime has spiralled out of control and people’s lives are endangered.
“Our whole lifestyle has changed because of continuous burglaries. Our residential area has never been faced with a situation like this before.”
She recently woke up to find a strange man attempting to open the front door to her house.
“When he saw me, he bolted. This is scary, but we should not have to live in fear!” she exclaimed.
Ms Elliot agrees with Ms van der Walt.
“I shouldn’t have to be scared in my home. If I want a glass of wine, I should be able to go outside if I choose, and not go inside and lock all the doors.”
Mr Goosen, Ms Elliot and Ms van der Walt have slammed Mrs Arumugam’s claims of an increase of police patrols.
“I work with my security service, as you cannot rely on the police. There is absolutely no police visibility and a total lack of communication from the SAPS. It seems suburbs will have to do their own policing,” Ms Eliot remarked.
Mr Goosen explained through his line of work, he spends a lot of his time on roofs, but sees very little police patrolling.
As residents grow fearful and are on edge, Juan de Heer, a resident from Signal Hill has started a neighbourhood watch in an attempt to minimise burglaries.
“My home was burgled twice. I have a wife and two children; I have to be proactive in order to keep them safe. I do not want my children growing up like this,.”
Andrè Potgieter of a security firm, believes residents’ fears are not unfounded as he has noticed a drastic increase in burglaries since the beginning of May.
“It is all over town, but it seems certain areas are targeted more than others,” he said.
It is speculated burglaries are more prevalent in affluent areas such as Signal Hill, Aviary Hill, and Hutten Heights.
Mr Potgieter and Mr de Heer strongly advise residents to make use of security services and neighbourhood watch groups.
“Security companies work with the police, so they know whom to contact when your home has been targeted. Also, through getting to know your neighbours and starting a group, you can contact someone close-by for help until your security provider and police arrive,” Mr Potgieter emphasised.
Residents demand visible policing before burglars become violent.
“What is worrying, is that the burglars are becoming more and more brazen. I was called out to a home during the week, where a man went into a house and robbed an elderly couple at knifepoint,” Mr de Heer said.
Allegedly, the ominous presence of a white box-shaped BMW and a black Audi, is the common denominator at the crime scenes where burglaries and robberies took place.
Residents are urged to be vigilant and report suspicious-looking people, and to take safety measures around their homes to minimise the chances of being burgled.
