Uniformed officers are the frontline first point of contact and the face of the South African Police Service. Few people get to see the men and women behind the scenes, crunching numbers and taking an analytical approach to crime-fighting.
The Crime Information Management Analysis Centre (CIMAC) briefed the Roodepoort Community Policing Forum (CPF) on crime trends and current hot spots, 26 November. The meeting was called by Acting Roodepoort Police station commander, Colonel Lucas Nkosi, and the data was presented by Captain Stefan Hendriks to the sector managers, neighbourhood block watches and the CPF executive.
The figures focused on the second quarter crime statistics for Roodepoort as well as the monthly numbers for November. Overall successes were down but Captain Hendriks stressed that it was an anomaly brought about by the state-imposed lockdown and the restrictions on movement. Highest on the list of crime trends was the increase in property-related incidents, especially business robberies, with the suburbs most effected being the CBD, Witpoortjie, Grobler Park and Lindhaven.
CIMAC figures show that the hours in which crimes are being committed have seen a shift from the morning hours to late afternoon and well into the night. An increase in assaults was also highlighted by CPF Chairman, Petrus Lehaiwa, which he attributed to the relaxed liquor-trading hours. Colonel Nkosi is scheduled to meet with tavern owners in an attempt to reach a consensus on responsible liquor-trading practices.
Following the statistics presentation, the floor was given to the attendees. Numerous ideas and suggestions were thrown around as they hashed out plans to improve communication, implementation and operational capacity within the interconnected structures. Colonel Nkosi expressed his commitment to guiding the station through the festive season, but lamented internal issues hampering policy, a lack of resources and overly stretched police officers.
All in attendance were unanimous in their belief that an emphasis needs to be placed on encouraging the community to report crimes when they are committed. Without a report and a matching case number, compiling an informative database becomes more challenging. Colonel Nkosi closed with his characteristic words of encouragement, saying, “Do not sit and wait for January because December is here. Make sure you know your neighbour because together we win, apart we fall.”
