Police and private security convoy patrols South Coast
The convoy went through some notoriously dangerous areas, Mkholombe, Bhoboyi, and Murchison informal settlements.
Close to 70 police, private security, and CPF personnel all met on the rooftop at the Shelly Centre last Friday evening, for a joint effort of law enforcement to patrol the South Coast.
The meeting point was where the mass patrol started and continued through to Port Shepstone CBD where it ended.
Weaving through a few informal settlements along the way, the convoy was impressive, around 30 vehicles with lights and sirens making their presence known.
This was the idea behind the patrol – to let the South Coast public know that law enforcement is present and keeping crime at bay within the area.
“We want to show the community a show of force and we want to gain some trust with the public again,” said Captain Shireen Michael.
There were a few stops and some arrests were made. The Friday night after payday was sure to include some drunk and disorderly behaviour and the patrol was well aware of this.
Port Shepstone’s beachfront was host to a street party which was quickly put to an end. Drinking in public was not tolerated. The police were ordered not to use unnecessary force however, they had permission to pour alcohol out onto the ground and force people to leave in such situations.
The convoy went through some notoriously dangerous areas, namely Mkholombe, Bhoboyi, and Murchison informal settlements.
Once in the Port Shepstone CBD, vagrants were told to leave their sleeping spots on Bazley Street and surrounding areas. Any resistance was met with swift retaliation from police.
The mass patrol was an experimental run and more are planned to run in the upcoming months.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
