Repeated cable theft and tampering in Pretoria East suburbs have prompted security companies and police to urge residents to join local community patrols.

Incidents were recently reported on consecutive nights in Camellia Avenue, alongside similar activity in Freesia Street and Rubida Street.

Alpha Security operations manager Aris Ruyter said the incidents highlighted the need for stronger co-operation between residents, security companies and the police.

“We need more eyes and ears,” Ruyter said.

He urged residents to join their local Community Policing Forum (CPF) and participate in patrols.

According to Ruyter, increased community involvement could provide security companies and the SAPS with additional support by improving the number of people monitoring neighbourhoods and reporting suspicious activity.

“You don’t need special skills. We need people. We need vehicles. We need eyes and ears,” he said.

Ruyter said residents who become involved could also gain access to Alpha Red, the company’s operational platform, allowing them to see what is happening on the ground and assist during incidents.

He said the call for greater participation comes as communities prepare for the end-of-year period, when security concerns traditionally receive increased attention.

Patrols yield results in Brooklyn Sector 4

The importance of community patrols was also highlighted by Brooklyn Sector 4 CPF chairperson Mike Michaelides.

Michaelides said the sector experienced a sudden increase in incidents during August, particularly around restaurants and the Monument Park area.

“We had nothing for almost a year and then suddenly we were getting hit every night,” he said.

In response, the CPF introduced evening and night-time community patrols and approached security companies for additional patrol vehicles.

Michaelides said security companies agreed to provide additional vehicles, while the CPF continued with its community patrols.

He said the measures appeared to have made a difference, with the sector recording no incidents during September at the time of his comments.

Michaelides stressed that the CPF does not respond to incidents itself, but works alongside security companies that handle responses.

He said the sector also uses a Telegram group where emergencies can be reported, allowing security companies operating in the area to respond regardless of which company a resident is contracted to.

Ongoing cable tampering in response areas

Meanwhile, CSI Security guarding operations manager Gerhard Rossouw said cable tampering remains an ongoing concern in areas covered by the company.

“There’s always tampering with cable,” said Rossouw.

He confirmed that increased patrols would be restarted as security companies respond to the concerns raised by communities.

The calls for increased patrols come as security companies and CPFs emphasise the importance of co-operation between residents, private security and SAPS in preventing and responding to crime.

Residents interested in becoming involved have been encouraged to contact their local CPF and participate in patrol initiatives in their areas.

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