Crime subsides in Roodepoort sector 1
Hard work and dedication lead to a drop in crime statistics.
Roodekrans — Good news abounded on April 9 during the Roodepoort Sector One Crime Forum meeting held at the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch’s (RNW) OPS room in Wilde Amandel Street, during which it was reported by police and security companies alike that crime, for the time being at least, seems to be under control.
According to the police’s sector one manager, Warrant Officer Johan Loots, this is partly due to the vigilance of residents, patrollers and private security companies, as well as their continued support for the police officers that are deployed here.
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“We find that where the police and the community, as well as the other local structures like neighbourhood watches, CPF patrollers and security companies work hand in hand, it sends a message to criminals that this is not an area where crime pays,” he says.
This month’s meeting also saw representatives from other sectors of the Roodepoort policing precinct attending on invitation from Loots.
“We find ourselves collaborating on police operations and CPF patrols regularly, and I feel that better communication and collaboration between the sectors is likely to have an even further positive impact on crime statistics.”
Despite the positive crime statistics, Loots warned that the community should not get too comfortable.
“The only way in which to ensure continued success is to keep up with the work we’ve been doing.”
In his turn, Roodepoort police’s operational commander, Captain Danny Pieterse, warned patrollers that working with unofficial patroller groups will not be tolerated.
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“These organisations have been declared to be vigilante groups that do not fall under the protection of the official police structures, and we cannot condone working with them.”
During the meeting, it was also announced that the Roodepoort Sector 1 Crime Forum vice-chairperson had tendered his resignation.
This prompted an election of a new vice-chair.
SSOP patrol captain Leon Marinus volunteered for the job and was elected unopposed to the position.
