Community members can look forward to the bolstering of the SAPS with the relaunch of the Edenvale SAPS reservist programme.
The relaunch of the programme was announced at the first Edenvale Community Policing Forum (ECPF) meeting of the year on February 26.
Several years ago the programme was shut down, but has since been reinstated.
In Edenvale there are currently two active reservists and six others waiting for the go-ahead from Gauteng SAPS.
Edenvale reservist Const Craig Langley said the addition of reservists should assist the police.
Although applications closed on February 28, those interested must be between 25 and 50 years, have a matric certificate and be employed.
With the announcement of this news, excited ECPF chairperson Sheryl Damerell said she was thrilled with the announcement.
“The CPF looks forward to working with the reservists.”
Damerell described the start of the year as busy. She said criminals have not let up, specifically with regards to hijacking and follow-home crimes.
“Community members need to be aware of their surroundings and need to be careful.”
Damerel highlighted that the camera project has been successful in assisting the SAPS and other law-enforcement agents to arrest criminals.
“I cannot explain how great they are doing. The arrests made by the police are proof that they are working.”
Edenvale SAPS station commander Col Sudesh Sookraj said during January, Edenvale SAPS processed 119 arrested suspects. By February 26 the station had processed 105 suspects.
Those arrested in the two months were arrested in connection to crimes such as armed robbery, domestic violence, common assault and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Sookraj said with the assistance of the Edenvale camera project, the SAPS was able to arrest several suspects for a variety of crimes.
Some large convictions the station’s detectives recently had included:
• An accused found guilty of a narcotic-related crime, who paid an R1 000 fine.
• An accused found guilty of the possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle, who was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
• An accused found guilty of business burglary, who was given the choice of a R4 000 fine or four months in prison.
• An accused found guilty of the theft of a motor vehicle, who was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
Edenvale EMPD precinct commander Chief Supt Leon 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 officer and 22 traffic wardens.”
In the months to come, the ECPF plans to host several workshops to inform the community.
Some of the workshops it has in mind will focus on the legalities surrounding marijuana and domestic violence.
