Fines totalling R18 000 were issued when police kicked off the Safe Journey Campaign at Laerskool Hermanstad on Friday.
“We stopped and searched 296 vehicles, fined three second hand goods shops for not complying with the laws, searched 22 premises, issued 17 Aarto fines and issued 16 notices to counterfeit DVD sellers,” Hercules police station, spokesperson Captain Bonginkosi Msimango said.
The campaign would seek to turn Pretoria central into a safe place for residents and tourists, said cluster commander Maj-Gen Thomas Mthombeni.
“Through this campaign, communities will play a role in crime prevention. The community need to be active to help reduce crime. We launched this campaign on 11 July and this is the third police station we are visiting since the launch.”
Mthombeni said the campaign would seek to improve service delivery, create partnerships with concerned parties, increase community trust and reduce police complaints.
John Copper from the metros’ environmental management said an effort was being made to assist the police by cutting long grass used by criminals as hiding places.
Ward councillor Piet Fourie said: “This campaign will help to improve communication between the stakeholders in the cluster and community. We will help the police with all they need in our area to make it safe and a better place.”
Community leaders, business sectors, church leaders, local ward councillors, various departments and other interested parties attended.
