East small businesses at mercy of criminals
Sector 2 in the Brooklyn policing precinct was targeted the hardest, especially the Menlo Park, Brooklyn, Nieuw Muckleneuk and Ashlea Gardens suburbs.
There has been a sharp increase in burglaries at Brooklyn business premises the past six months, police said this week.
Spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said criminals were setting their sights on smaller businesses and those operated from home.
Sector two – Menlo Park, Brooklyn, Nieuw Muckleneuk and Ashlea Gardens – of the Brooklyn policing precinct was especially being targeted.
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Criminals focused on schools, guest houses, attorney offices, pubs, restaurants and fast food outlets.
While most business complexes or office blocks had manned boom gates, security firms were advised to beef up access control.
Weilbach said in two crimes the culprits fabricated stories that they were there to pick someone up.
The security guards let them in, only discover that items had been stolen from the premises after the thieves had left.
“It is advisable to ensure that all visitors to complexes sign-in in a register and produce proof of identification and persons to be picked up must rather wait at the security gate for their lifts,” said Weilbach.
Another security lapse was CCTV cameras not functioning properly or effectively.
Weilbach urged business owners to upgrade camera systems to assist the police in their investigations.
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“Cameras must be lowered so that facial features could be captured.”
Business owners were also urged to check their alarm systems regularly for efficiency and not to ignore any alarms.
Common items stolen were laptops, computers and petty cash.
“Where possible valuables such as these must be locked away before the close of business,” said Weilbach.
“During working hours employees must also secure their personal belongings to reduce theft cases out of offices or from counters.”
Weilbach said a vehicle was recently stolen after the thief grabbed the keys from a counter where he was assisted.
“Position desks away from windows to thwart theft through openings and lock offices properly after hours,” she said.
“Most burglaries occur between 04:00 and 12:00 with Fridays the riskiest day of the week.”
Weilbach urged business owners to join the Brooklyn CPF so they could form part of the sector crime forums in their areas.
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Participants received monthly feedback on crime and other information which can make the Brooklyn policing precinct a safer business area.
Brooklyn CPF chairperson Andrew Fogwill can be reached at andrewf12@gmail.com for more information.
Residents were urged to report strange activities to the police immediately by phoning the 10111 emergency number or the Brooklyn police’s 24-hour number 012 366 1735/6.
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