CPFs across Pretoria East say strong partnerships between residents, private security companies and the SAPS are proving critical in the fight against crime.

Brooklyn CPF Sector 4 chairperson Mike Michaelides said the area has seen an increase in armed robberies and burglaries over the past few months.

Michaelides said crime trends in the area tend to fluctuate.

He said the crimes are not limited to one neighbourhood but are occurring across the sector, from Monument Park to Waterkloof Ridge.

Despite these challenges, Michaelides said community participation has already produced tangible results.

He said residents in one part of the sector recently began conducting community patrols to combat cable theft.

“Since they started patrolling, cable theft has basically decreased dramatically.”

Michaelides said Sector 4 is now preparing to launch a new community camera system aimed at improving response times to crime.

He explained that the project brings together four private security companies that will monitor alerts generated by a shared camera network.

“My aim is that if a camera does trigger, I’ll get at least four responses,” said Michaelides.

He believes the shared monitoring model will ensure the closest available response vehicle can react regardless of which security company it belongs to.

Michaelides encouraged residents to become involved by joining the CPF’s communication platforms and reporting suspicious activity.

“I’ve got about 1 600 households on our Telegram group. They are our eyes and ears, and they report incidents, which means the reaction companies can check them out.”

Michaelides cautioned residents against confronting suspects, saying today’s criminals are often armed.

Instead, he urged community members to report suspicious activity so that private security companies and SAPS can respond safely and appropriately.

Meanwhile, Groenkloof/Sunnyside Sector 6 Chairperson Brad Redmayne said crime in his area mainly consists of housebreaking, theft from motor vehicles and the occasional vehicle theft.

“There’s occasional housebreaking, but it’s mostly break-ins and theft from vehicles. Maybe a few vehicle thefts now and then.”

Redmayne said the CPF works closely with established security initiatives which continue to patrol the area.

He added that technology has also played a significant role in tackling crime.

“Cameras installed along the Unisa corridor have already assisted in preventing cable theft. Last week a suspected cable thief was arrested after being picked up by the cameras and monitored by CSI.”

Although attempted cable theft still occurs from time to time, Redmayne said the surveillance system continues to deter criminals and improve response times.

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