Social media and community groups play a big role in the prevention of crime for Bedfordview SAPS and the Bedfordview Community Police Forum (BCPF).
The accuracy of information, therefore, plays a detrimental role in the outcome of the crime scene and can lead authorities down an incorrect path.
Gavin Henry, the chairman of the BCPF, said that residents need to be careful when posting online about crime scenes without having correct facts.
“Businesses are losing money due to locations of crime scenes not being reported accurately,” said Henry.
Also read: Vini’s donates R6 215 to BCPF camera network
Henry said that many residents are highly influenced by what they see online.
“A business may not be directly affected by a crime scene, yet will be associated with that particular crime in the long run,” said Henry.
“You need to be careful with what you put out on social media,” said Henry.
He encouraged residents to share information confirmed by the SAPS.
He said that residents also need to know the difference between an armed robbery and a hi-jacking, due to some residents confusing the two.
“An armed robbery is handled by the Bedfordview SAPS, while a hi-jacking is handled by the Trio Task Team,” said Henry.
He said that lack of correct information hinders authorities in alleviating a crime accurately.
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Henry further spoke about donations by local businesses to the BCPF.
The NEWS previously reported that Vinis Restaurant raised R6 215 on behalf of the BCPF to update their camera system and to support BCPF to combat crime in Bedfordview.
Wimpy Bedford Centre has now come on board with a similar initiative, ‘Cappuccinos for Change’, where R2 from each cappuccino bought is donated to the BCPF for the fight against crime in Bedfordview.
Henry said that the donations will work on an opt-in, opt-out bases, whereby the amount will be added to the bill with the option of taking it off completely or left on.
There will also be an option to increase the amount.
“Any local restaurants that are interested in donating through this method to the BCPF to fight crime in Bedfordview are welcome to contact us,” said Henry.
You can contact BCPF on 011 450 4376 or info@bcpf.co.za.
