Newcastle’s crime comes creeping in as the colder months approach
"At this stage the criminals are just outnumbering us."
Has Newcastle’s crime situation taken a turn for the frightening?
This is the question residents have been asking in recent months, following a spate of serious crimes in town, in the townships and in surrounding areas.
Escalation in violence has many looking over their shoulders.
One resident took to social media last week, after her mother and sons were involved in a suspected attempted kidnapping in Pioneer Park.
They were walking in the area at the time.
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According to the resident, her mother and sons were returning from a nearby shopping centre when three men drove by in a white Opel Monza.
Fortunately, neighbourhood children alerted them to possible danger.
“They tried to get my mom and sons into the car. She told my boys to run and to not stop until they were safe.”
Seemingly surprised at the reaction, two of the men ran back to turn the vehicle around, while another gave chase.
“I’m so glad my children got away safely; my mother hurt her back and split her toe running away.”
Similar crime stories and some involving sexual assault, hijacking, armed robbery, break-ins have been prevalent in the past four months or so.
Morne Potgieter, of local security firm Ithemba Security and head of Newcastle 911 Community Forum, described the escalation of crime in recent weeks.
“What’s getting out of hand, and seems to be a nationwide problem, is cash in transit robberies. We had a few in our area, Madadeni, oSizweni and also Dannhauser. We have seen a number of cash in transit heists taking place where guards were executed. We had ATM bombings where there were multiple shots fired at security and police, innocent people losing their lives.”
Potgieter explained there was also a significant increase in business armed robberies and house robberies, and a spike in break-ins.
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“The previous week we stood on 23 house breakings; crime is definitely increasing in our town.”
Guest houses were the latest to be targeted, he added.
He urged the community to come forward and help in the fight against crime, which including reporting criminal activity and suspicious people to local forums or SAPS.
Potgieter invited residents to contact Ithemba Security at any time, with the company joining hands with SAPS and also integrating in Newcastle 911.
“At this stage the criminals are just outnumbering us.”
In a more positive vein, Potgieter said a few recent house robberies had resulted in arrests thanks to the dedication of crime-fighters across the board.
He congratulated Newcastle 911 members for their tireless efforts.
“We also urge the community to make donations to these kinds of forums as members are patrolling on their own and from their own pockets.”
Potgieter emphasised there was no specific suburb or area being targeted in break-ins, although their prevalence had rapidly increased.
“We have members out in certain areas at certain times but cannot have members in all places all the time.”
He invited volunteers to join Newcastle 911 by contacting him directly or through the forum’s Facebook page.
They can then become part of the crime prevention solution.
In conclusion, Potgieter provided the following tips to residents wishing to possibly spare themselves from crime in the area:
- Join a local security company/ forum/ organisation
- Have an alarm system and panic button installed for immediate security response
- Join Newcastle 911 and download the Zello app – this app means direct contact with a 24-hour control room
- Contact the 24-hour SAPS 10111 number
- Come forward with information on suspicious activities including sale of drugs or possession of illegal weapons – these matters can be reported completely anonymously
- Be vigilant in remote areas, be wary of cars which may be following you, and do not drive into your yard if you suspect someone is following or watching you – rather note their details and keep driving to a well-lit or busy area, police station or security company
- In the driveway, put down your cellphone and watch for anyone close by
- Open the gate before reaching your driveway
“Most importantly is to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities,” he concluded.
