EMPD explains its role to community

Edenvale EMPD precinct commander Chief Supt Leon Saaiman took to the floor at a recent Edenvale Community Policing Forum (ECPF) meeting where he explained the role of the EMPD to the community.

The explanation was given at the first ECPF meeting of the year on February 26.

Saaiman said EMPD officers focus on by-law enforcement, regulating traffic and crime prevention.

“By-law infringements have become a big problem in the precinct,” said Saaiman.

Those he identified included:

• Large trucks in residential areas between certain hours

“Trucks which weigh eight tons or more should not be in residential areas between 6pm and 6am,” said Saaiman.

“EMPD is in the process of renewing its contract with a heavy-duty towing company to remove illegally parked vehicles.”

Saaiman explained that truck drivers often stop in residential areas to sleep overnight.

• Noise pollution

“The number of noise complaints that we have received in recent weeks has decreased; however, there are isolated locations which continue.

“They are being dealt with with assistance from various departments and parts of the legislature.”

• Vagrants

“The problem of vagrants is one of the biggest by-law problems in Edenvale.”

Saaiman said because they are human beings, if the vagrants are moved from one area they will resurface somewhere else.

He said there are several facilities which provide shelter to vagrants, but Saaiman believes the rules the centres have often detered vagrants.

“As far as I am aware, various departments of the City are working together to establish a place of safety.

“The place of safety will help those who come to it and help them find work.”

• Informal traders

Saaiman said when he first arrived in Edenvale, the informal traders in the town all had permits.

However, after further investigation, it was found the permits were issued contrary to the City’s legislature.

“EMPD is in discussion with the City’s customer care manager to revoke the permits and have the traders reapply and receive permits once their applications have been approved.”

• Recycling

The Edenvale EMPD is working on solutions to try to address the recyclers to reduce the mess made by them.

Saaiman said generally the problem is not when the recyclers collect their material, but rather when they sort it.

“We don’t want to stop these people from earning a living and contributing to the economy, but they must obey the by-laws.”

He explained that truckloads of material have been removed from an abandoned petrol station near the Eastleigh Taxi Rank.

In terms of traffic control, Saaiman said the addition of the 10 new officers has greatly assisted the precinct.

He said their practical training was completed at the end of January and they were deployed at the start of February.

“With the arrival of the new members, the precinct now has 37 officers and 22 traffic wardens.”

When it comes to crime prevention, Saaiman explained that EMPD works with its specialised units, the SAPS and other law-enforcement agencies to reduce crime.

“The operations we conduct are subject to the information provided to us by the SAPS.”

The Edenvale EMPD footprint extends from the Northern side of the R24 highway (Highway Gardens) to the Laurie Road and P91 intersection and from the Eastern side of the N3 (Dowerglen) to the industrial part of Sebenza.

“My precinct covers the areas in wards 18 and 19.”

Phone 011 9992093/4 to contact Edenvale EMPD.