Like a hunter stalking its prey, tactical timing determines the window within which to strike.
Florida Police, led by the energetic and pro-active station commander, Colonel Amos Tsotetsi, have not let any momentum slip in their push-back against crime. Together with community groups, private security and fellow law-enforcement branches, the station’s members have held weekly operations aimed at crime hotspots and area-specific criminality.
Each with its unique operation name, Operation Snouted Cobra was conducted on July 23 and four suspects were nabbed – three for possession of drugs, and one in connection with a domestic-violence assault charge. Ridding the streets of harmful substance is also of high priority, with four bags of heroin, illegally distributed alcohol and counterfeit goods all confiscated.
A week later, Operation Checkmate added illegal mining, scrap-metal dealers and the compliance with by-laws to their targets. Deploying teams to Rugby Club informal settlement, authorities confiscated 18 phendukas, 60 steel balls, four crusher pots, three electrical pump motors, five stampers, five generators, two wheelbarrows and 10 assorted garden tools.
In the most recent attempt to purge Florida of criminality, Operation African Wild Dog went scavenging through the usual hotspots. Authorities raided the streets around Florida Square before moving on to Florida train station and the section of Ruth Street around the notorious Killarney Hotel. Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Protection Services combed the railways before the forces moved on to parks around the suburbs.
While the day only yielded one arrest, several more packets of mandrax, heroin and marijuana as well as dangerous weapons were taken off the streets. “Members of the community are requested to please report any such criminal activities, as there is a zero tolerance approach in the Florida policing district. We need to work together in synergy in order to combat such activities from happening further, and bring the criminals that are causing such havoc in our community to book,” stated Colonel Tsotetsi.
Certificates of appreciation were handed out on August 5, recognising the dedication of all involved in the efforts to rid their area of crime. Florida Community Policing Forum, Florida ICE, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Gauteng Traffic, PRASA and each private security company were all acknowledged for their collective commitment to carrying out Colonel Tsotetsi’s strategy of ‘partnership in policing’.
