The Bedfordview Police Station has seen a drop in crime since March 26, only dealing with a few non-compliance cases pertaining to the lockdown.
Station commander for Bedfordview SAPS, Col Justus Geustyn, proudly announced there has been a decrease in crime during the lockdown.
“Crime has gone down, only a number of complaints concerning non-compliance. This is mostly businesses still operating in industrial areas,” said Geustyn.
No arrests have been made due to this, as Geustyn said once they were notified, they shut down.
“We will, however, act if any business or persons are not compliant,” said Geustyn.
He thanks the Bedfordview community for all their compliance and for their cooperation during this time.
“As the station commander, I have the authority to give a permit for residents to travel for funerals or to visit close relative when someone close to them has died.
“These permits are valid for 48 hours,” said Geustyn.
He added during the first week of the lockdown he has issued permits to residents and was honoured to do so.
On why crime has decreased in the area, Geustyn sees residents being home at all times as a potential reason.
“Residents are serving as their own security during this time.
“There are also less vehicles, less travelling and less incidents, which means more patrolling by officers,” said Geustyn.
Liquor not being sold is also a reason for the decrease, as per Geustyn.
“Due to no one being able to buy liquor, this also plays a role in the decrease of crime.”
Liquor is a cause for gender-based violence, which is and has never been a problem in Bedfordview, even during the lockdown,” said Geustyn.
He added domestic violence has never been a problem in Bedfordview since the beginning of the lockdown.
“I believe criminals know what is happening around them.
“They are following the news. Just as we are, they may be afraid of the virus as well,” said Geustyn.
Crimes which have decreased are armed robbery, hijackings, theft and theft out of motor vehicles.
“We are definitely happy as a station for this decrease and can only urge the community to keep adhering to the rules and to not get agitated and leave their homes,” said Geustyn.
On what the station has done during the lockdown to also adhere to the spread of the virus, he said they have been complying along with everybody else.
“As far as possible we are doing all the simple things such as washing hands and utilizing sanitisers. Our officers have adopted this as well,” said Geustyn.
He mentioned all necessary state vehicles are sanitised after transportation regularly.
The station has also put in extra safety measures, although there is less people coming to the station for common services such as fire arm licensing.
Geustyn, however, believes this will all pick up again once the lockdown lifts, but will be be there to oblige.
“Many thanks to the BCPF for all their donations in assisting us in doing our jobs during this time,” said Geustyn.
Geustyn was content in reporting on April 6 that the station removed beggars from the streets in Bedfordview and took them to a safe haven in Bakerton.
“This was not an arrest. These people have no place to go during the pandemic.
“They now have a place where they will get food and be safe,” said Geustyn.
National support is available if need be as Geustyn pointed out, with the station and the metro police working hand in hand on big scale operations during the lockdown.
These operations include roadblocks.
Geustyn disagrees crime will increase drastically once the lockdown lifts.
“If it does, it will not change anything. We are still here doing our job and will continue doing our job.
“We will, however, try to keep crime at the point where it is at now,” said Geustyn.
He indicated extra attention is given to sectors such as Klopperpark and Elandsfontein and would like to thank security companies in Bedfordview for all their assistance.
Geustyn understands the severity of people becoming disorderly as they try to make provisions for themselves.
“We are sensitised to this and therefore we have been patrolling around shopping centres, petrol stations and pharmacies to hinder this, “said Geustyn.
Geustyn expressed his thanks to the Bedfordview community for complying and for working with SAPS during this time.
“Let’s see this through together. If everybody plays their role we will win,” said Geustyn.
