Tensions ran high at the Edenvale Community Police Forum’s (ECPF) monthly meeting, which was held at the Fahrenheit restaurant on May 25.
One of the concerns raised during the opening report by Mrs Linda Mckenzie, the chairperson of the ECPF, was the lack of police visibility in Edenvale.
“Why are we fighting two fights (criminals and for visible policing)? Often there is no back-up from the SAPS,” said Mrs McKenzie.
Inspector Martin Koekemoer, from the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) said that 347 bylaw complaints have been addressed in the past month.
He also added that the amount of EMPD operations per month had been increased from five to 11.
Mrs Mckenzie said the operation, that involved the EMPD K9 unit, the ECPF and Mamba on May 6, was a success and resulted in multiple arrests and drugs being confiscated.
“Things are bad, but they are getting better,” said the Edenvale SAPS’ Constable Bradley Goldblatt.
He said house robbers are changing their behaviour, with house robberies occurring in the daytime. Criminals roam the streets in vehicles and often force themselves into the house when the owners are leaving or coming home.
Another point raised during the meeting was that the crime prevention team will be joining visible policing (vispol).
Following the meeting, the acting communications officer of the Edenvale SAPS, Warrant Officer Jean Olkers said, “The shifts of the crime prevention team have changed. This was done to provide consistent operations almost 24/7,” he said.
A member of the audience raised the question of why SAPS vehicles are stopped at locations for extended periods of time.
W/O Olckers later commented that, “A variety of reasons could result in the vehicles being stationary.”
“Often SAPS members will be searching premises, interviewing victims, gathering information or simply using the vehicle as a visibility mechanism.”
Mrs McKenzie also stated at the meeting that on some occasions there had been a lack of backup from the Edenvale SAPS.
“Police officers must go through the right channels. There is more than enough backup, there will be support from the entire Ekurhuleni North Cluster,” said W/O Olckers.
“We as a community need to stand together and say enough is enough,” said Mrs Mckenzie.
“Working together in Edenvale is essential to prevent crime,” said W/O Olckers,
“If the community feels there is a lack of cohesion, both the station commander and the acting station commander can be contacted to discuss the matter,” said W/O Olckers.
