Danville residents take it upon themselves
Danville residents patrol have decided to patrol the streets to keep their families safe.
Residents of Danville have joined hands to push back against criminals.
Following months, of escalating house robberies in Danville extension 5, about 20 residents decided to form a neighbourhood watch and patrol the area at night.
And Rekord joined in on Friday night.
Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Thesigan Pillay said the patrols started a month ago, after residents realised crime was getting out of hand.
“Every two days, we would hear of a break in, a robbery or a burglary. So we took a brave decision to stop crime. It was heartwarming to see the community agreeing to take part even those who have been victims of crime in the past.
But Pillay said he was disappointed the police failed to join in the operation.
“Something needed to be done to lower the high crime level but unfortunately a few are willing to join the fight,” he said.
“The community has lost faith in the police. An increase in mob justice attacks in Pretoria West has drastically increased in the past few years.”
Community patrollers said they hoped the police took note and would start doing something too.
“In the past weeks, that we have patrolled, we haven’t received [reports of] the incidence of house robberies. It shouldn’t be our job to keep the community safe, it’s the police’s. We have reported our problems but nothing has been done so we took a stand. They [the police] are scared of these criminals,” one of the patrollers said.
In the two hours that Rekord patrolled with the residents, no police vehicle was seen in the area.
Also read:
Vacant RDP houses invaded in Danville
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