Operation Duty Calls launched earlier

The SAPS’ annual crime fighting initiative Operation Duty Calls was launched at least two months earlier than planned in order to tackle crime and ensure residents’ safety before the Festive Season begins.

This meant that from 1 July Honeydew residents noticed a higher police presence in the area.

Honeydew Cluster Commander Major-General Reddy announced that 1 July marked the commencement of Phase 1 of Operation Duty Calls.

A base camp was established at Honeydew SAPS as part of the launch and it was announced that the station would be the point from which the operations would be coordinated.

Members involved in the operation are from all police stations in the Honeydew Cluster, which includes Honeydew, Roodepoort, Randburg, Douglasdale, Diepsloot and Florida.

The operation also includes members from the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Public Order Policing (Pop).

According to the Station Commander at the Florida SAPS Colonel Rautenbach, “Phase 1 is basically a pre-festive period.

“The idea is to prevent crime much earlier than usual. We believe criminals already

tend to break into homes and we will be

ready.

“Phase 2 will take place between 1 and 15 December, the beginning of the holiday period.

“Phase 3 will be from 16 December 2013 to 2 January 2014, and Phase 4 will be from 3 January 2014 to 31 March 2014.”