The number of murders has decreased drastically over the past year in Sunnyside while drugs, alcohol abused and theft have sky-rocketed.
Crime Research and Statistics of South African Police Service for April 2013 to March 2014 show murder has decreased by 71% compared to 2012/2013 crime statistics.
However, the long standing issue of drugs and alcohol abuse remain high. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increased by 44% and drug-related crime is up by 15%.
Theft from motor vehicles decreased by 7%, while theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles decreased by 22%.
However, motorists seem to be unsafe in this area with hijackings up by 93%, while robberies at residential and non-residential premises decreased by 1% and 14% respectively.
The category of burglaries at residential premises showed a decline of 5%.
The physical safety of Sunnyside residents seems to be under threat with a rise in robbery with aggravating circumstances and common robbery and common assault, which increased by 49%, 29% and 7% respectively.
Sunnyside police spokesperson Sergeant Asnath Malatsi said although statistics indicate that police are making progress in curbing a number of crimes, they have nothing to celebrate, because crime still prevails. “Decreases in some of the crime means we are making an impact, but we have to work even harder to keep residents safe.”
Malatsi added that although theft out of motor vehicles has decreased, motorists should remain cautious when parking their vehicles in the Sunnyside area and surroundings. Statistics revealed the actual theft from motor vehicles dropped from 1 754 reported cases in the 2012/13 financial year to 1 626 in 2013/14.
Other theft drastically increased by 26% from 1 891 reported cased to 2 386.
Sunnyside Community Policing Forum (CPF) interim committee chairperson Sandile Dube said drugs, human trafficking and police corruption is a matter of concern with public complaints about these issues. “Police together with the community will have to work hard to address these issues.” He said there was a need to study the crime statistics and compare it with public opinion about crime.
“The number of reported thefts from motor vehicles suggests there is still a number people who have faith in the police and it is important to keep that relationship growing,” Dube said.
The CPF plans to meet soon for discussions on the state of crime in Sunnyside and to consider action which would get rid of criminal activities in the area.
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