Festive season safety advice

With the festive season now upon us, the Edenvale SAPS has begun increasing their visibility to ensure that the crimes are prevented in Edenvale and the surrounding areas.

In order to do this a number of operations have been held recently.

One of the operations, operation Basadi, was held on November 24 and saw a combined effort of SAPS members, the EMPD, the Department of Home Affairs and private security companies.

Captain Jean Olckers, the spokesperson of the Edenvale SAPS, said over 200 cars were checked during the operation.

He said 20 fines were issued and a suspect was arrested for the possession of drugs, which had an estimated value of R10 000.

“Most of the fines were for expired license disks,” said Capt Olckers.

Another operation saw the SAPS from the Edenvale and Ekurhuleni North Cluster launch a visibility policing operation at the Greenstone Shopping Centre.

Colonel Robbie Roberts, the station commander of the Edenvale SAPS, said the SAPS will visit various shopping centres.

He said the operation will include trainees and will give them the opportunity for on the ground experience.

“The visits to the shopping centres will be unannounced,” said Col Roberts.

He said the operation aims to take a proactive stance to fighting crime.

Capt Olckers said the operation had the objective of increasing manpower for the police at shopping centres.

Capt Olckers said community members need to ensure that over the festive season they keep safe and remain vigilant.

He urged community members and business owners who are going away to ask neighbors to keep an eye on the property while they are away from home.

“It is important to know your neighbors,” said Capt Olckers.