Police issue warning about various crimes

The public must take responsibility for some of the crimes committed against them.

Maj-Gen Poobalan Subbiah.

This is according to Ekurhuleni Central Cluster commander Maj-Gen Poobalan Subbiah, who spoke at the Benoni Community Policing Forum (CPF) quarterly meeting at Benoni West School, on August 11.

Subbiah cautioned the audience on the approaching festive season, saying the community needs to be vigilant to reduce chances of falling prey to criminals.

Be careful who you employ

Subbiah said a lot of house and business robberies occur due to information being leaked from households.

“Crime starts with information from inside a building, from your employees – it starts with who you employ,” the commander said.

“Nobody walking on the street knows that you have R10 000 in your house, nobody knows your history, your income, where you spend, where you entertain, better than the people closest to you.”

He said domestic workers, gardeners, people such as plumbers and even your own children, could be selling information to criminals.

“Do not misread me, we have a lot of good, committed helpers and workers … but there will be those that we pick up from the street who look for an opportunity to gather information to build information on you,” said Subbiah.

“So it is very important to do your homework and not just take this person who promises you the world.”

Withdrawing money from banks

The cluster commander cautioned people when they withdraw money from banks, especially when drawing large amounts of cash to pay your employees.

“You have the least amount of worries when you are in the bank and you do not even have a sense of worry when you get out of the bank, because you think it will never happen to you,” Subbiah added.

He said cleaning staff in banks could be spotters, who are then aided by spotters on the outside, who are usually people who you would not suspect of being involved in crime.

“Do not underestimate the American movies,” he said.

“The first vehicle will follow you and then it will stop.

“The next vehicle will then take over; and I do not think I am wrong, we have seen it.

“Eventually you get cornered right in front of your business or residence.”

Subbiah urged the public to never think that they will not be a victim. He said you should not resist criminals, as you could be killed or cause the loss of another life.

Don’t open false cases

The commander said you will be arrested if you open a false case with police.

He said there have been incidents where people have been robbed while they are engaging in sexual activities with prostitutes.

These people then, at times, open false cases to avoid being found out about their dealings with prostitutes.

He said investigations pertaining to vehicle-related crimes will focus on what happened before, during and after the crime, which includes compiling evidence off your cellphone which is a “life instrument in our investigation”.

“I want you to assist the Ekurhuleni Central Cluster to start promoting this thing about not reporting false cases, because it is going to bite you.”

Impact of drugs

Subbiah said police are often held to account for drug use, despite families sometimes being to blame for the use of illicit substances.

“Drugs are eating our community, it is eating us, it is painful,” he said.

“It is even worse when families with little kids go and buy drugs.

“Your family is in the vehicle, but you are buying drugs, what culture are we creating?”

Subbiah said he and his members are “trying to tighten the bolts” on drugs in Benoni.

He said the work has resulted in only a few known drug houses being left in Western Extension.

“[We] get the calls about drugs, but you cannot just say there are drugs here and we must act,” Subbiah added.

He said he wants to ensure convicts receive lengthy prison sentences, of 18 years and up.

Brig Johan Jacobs, Benoni Police Station commander, once again encouraged people to report drug activity to him.

He said police are doing their “level best” to curb drug use and sales in Benoni.