Hijackings took centre stage at the Modderfontein Community Policing Forum (CPF) meeting on March 3.
Franco Mariotti, the CPF chairperson, said hijackings usually take place in poorly lit areas at night.
“Victims should try their best to find anything that can identify the criminals’ cars. This will help with the case.”
Const Jomanda Tlaka presented the overall crime statistics for December and January for Sector 4 and identified problematic crime hot spot areas, such as Antwerp Road, Peace Street and High Street.
Contributing factors to the crimes, according to the constable, are poor lighting or dead street lights, lack of proper parking facilities and easily accessible areas.
Sgt Abraham Phalala, from JMPD, expressed his disappointment and acknowledged the disadvantage of having only one patrol vehicle.
He said this is due to the new JMPD trainees being pulled back.
According to JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar, the trainees were taken back to improve their skills.
Phalala said they will be back by June.
Crime safety recommendations from the CPF for community members.
1. Lock your vehicle doors, secure and hide your property from pedestrians, this also prevents smash and grabs.
2. Refrain from parking in the dark and secluded area at night, as this might lead to robberies and hijackings.
3. Don’t walk alone at night or use dark passages or alleys.
4. Residents who feel unsafe when coming back home can contact their estate security to ask for an escort from unsafe areas.
5. Rather drive further than using dodgy off-ramps.
6. Do not enrage criminals.
7. Upgrade security measures.
8. Report suspicious activities.
9. Don’t take justice into your hands.
10. Don’t touch anything on the crime scene until police arrive.
