Vagrants, illegal car guards busted

Roodepoort police officers, JMPD and members of the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch paid a surprise visit to the Roodepoort Record offices on the corner of General Pienaar Avenue and Ham Street to address the growing problem of illegally operating car guards and vagrants in the vicinity, which contributes significantly to crime.

In recent years, a group of illegally operating car guards have ‘taken over’ the parking facilities at the business centre, often intimidating people into paying them and making no difference whatsoever to instances of vehicle theft for which the centre has become notorious over the years.

All car guards are required by law to be registered with South Africa’s Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).

In addition, vagrants have taken to seeking refuge at the brightly-lit centre in search of a safe place to sleep, which has further contributed to crime and lawlessness.

Drug and alcohol abuse is prevalent, often leading to fights among the homeless.

The sidewalks along the corners of General Pienaar and Ham streets are partially covered by the building overhang, which provides some cover from the wind and rain.

The vagrants have taken to using the entrance to the Caxton West Rand office as their evening ablution facilities, leading to a permanent bad smell, and staff members often having to step carefully when they arrive to work in the morning.

Police officers and patrollers from Roodepoort Sector One Crime Forum, Crime Prevention Wardens, and JMPD officers descended on the centre on November 7, rounding up illegal car guards and vagrants.

Several people were searched, and among their meagre possessions, the proof of crime was evident.

One homeless man was found to be in possession of drugs, as well as drug paraphernalia, among which was a meth pipe.

Also, hidden in a backpack, police found a large number of prescription pills – prescribed to someone else – and an alarming number of possible housebreaking implements.

Police also found some knives – some homemade, resembling prison shanks as often seen in movies, which were confiscated by police.

Vagrants were warned to steer clear of the centre, and police promised to carry out frequent raids in order to stamp out lawlessness.