Foot patrol focuses on gun violence

A FOUR hour foot patrol was held on the Bluff to implement the SAPS national festive season plan – Operation Back to Basics.

A partnership between Prof Risk Coastal Security Services(PRSS), SAPS Brighton Beach Flash component (Firearms, Liquor and Second Hand Goods) and media monitoring division, gun violence prevention was the focus point of the campaign.

The patrol was held at the Hillside Mall, Bluff Towers Mall and Bluff Water Towers Mall while distributing 1,000 brochures related to the Firearms Control Act.

“Firearms are obtained illegally during crime incidents and then they are used in the commission of other offences. It is therefore imperative that licensed gun owners take the necessary precautions to safeguard their firearms when not under their immediate control. Firearms go into circulation when legal firearm owners also fail to safeguard their firearms as prescribed by the Firearms Control Act, 2000,” said Brighton Beach communications officer, Cpt Louise Le Roux.

Gun safety tips:

1. Do not leave your gun in a brief case, inside a cupboard, under the mattress or pillow or in your handbag.
2. It is imperative that the loss, robbery or theft of a firearm be reported immediately to your nearest police station for circulation purposes.
3. Take the necessary precautions to ensure your home has the necessary safety features and to minimise the risk of falling prey to gun violence in your home through a house robbery.
4. Always be vigilant when travelling and visiting public places when your firearm is in your possession to minimise the risk of carjacking or aggravated robbery.
5. A focus area discussed in the brochure details the threat firearms impose to children. The following guidelines were provided to parents to protect their children against firearm violence:
6. Make sure that your firearms are kept in a firearm safe and that your children do not have access to the safe keys.
7. Teach your children that a gun can kill a person or an animal, and that it is against
   the law for a child to handle a firearm.
8. Teach your children that a firearm is a deadly weapon and not a toy.
9. Young children should not operate an airgun/rifle without adult supervision.
10. Teach your children that shooting any object or even just into the air with an airgun/rifle in a built up area is a crime.

Although airguns/rifles have been deregulated, the abuse of an air gun/rifle is regarded as a crime when used in the commission of an offence. This includes pointing an airgun/rifle in the direction of another person and threatening to harm him/her, shooting at another person with the intention to harm the individual; cause damage to property when discharging an airgun/rifle; or harm/injure or kill any animal with an airgun/rifle.

If you have small children, it is advisable to teach them the following basic safety rules if they see a firearm: Stop, don’t touch it, leave the area and tell an adult.

“Community members are encouraged through this project to report those who illegally possess or distribute firearms. including licensed gun owners who handle their firearms in a negligent or irresponsible manner, and fail to safeguard their firearms as stipulated by the Firearms Control Act 2000. The cycle of gun violence prevention begins with you, make a report it anonymously to www.crimeline.co.za, SMS Hotline 32211, Crime Stop 08600 10111,”said Captain Le Roux.

Brighton Beach SAPS management expressed its thanks and appreciation towards PRSS,SAPS Brighton Beach Flash for sponsoring the project and their partnership on the day. Reaction unit officers, Derrick Hlophe and Philani Zikali are thanked for the operational support provided towards Capt Louise Le Roux while conducting the foot patrol operations and distribution of the 1,000 brochures.

Brighton Beach SAPS also acknowledge the three major malls for allowing them to host the campaign.

Captain Louise Le Roux was acknowledged for her role as project manager, operational commander, and the foot patrol activities executed by her in partnership with the PRSS reaction unit officers, including the researching and developing of the brochure used during the operational activities.
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