Together they are creating public awareness on crime in Sunward Park and offer residents some useful crime prevention advice.
A campaign, aimed at addressing car theft, hijacking, robbery, theft and other crimes, was held at Sunward Park Lifestyle early this month.
Among the participants were members of the Boksburg SAPS and EMPD social crime prevention units, SAPS Tactical Response Team (TRT), East Rand Mounted Unit, representatives of Makopano Risk Solutions, Department of Social Development and Famsa, CPF patrollers, Sunward Park Lifestyle management and Pink Ladies.
Members of TRT enacted one of the common ways light-fingered shoplifters use to steal from shops – and the way police respond once the crime has been reported to them.
One officer played the role of a shoplifter and stole an item from one of the shops at the centre. TRT members were then sent to the staged crime scene. They arrived within few seconds and spotted the thief running away from the shop with the stolen item.
They gave chase and the thief was caught a few metres away from the shop where he was immediately placed under arrest. The stolen item was returned to the shop.
Other participants distributed hundreds of crime-awareness leaflets to shoppers and business operators at the centre and encouraged them to stand united against crime by reporting any suspicious people or activities to the police.
People were also warned not to leave their vehicles’ windows opened and the door unlocked when left unattended, and be sceptical of strangers promising to buy goods for them at discounted prices.
In the past weeks many people have had their vehicles stolen or broken into while parked in parking lots in different shopping centres in Sunward Park.
The campaign coincided with the Boksburg SAPS’ launch of its 16 Days of Activism campaign. Members of the SAPS, EMPD, Social Development and during the event NGOs interacted with shoppers and encouraged them to report any form of abuse against women and children.
16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children is an international campaign aimed at raising awareness of the shocking rate of violence against women and children. It takes place from November 25 to December 10 each year.
To report crime in Boksburg SAPS poling precinct phone: Control Room 011 841 6844/45, Sector One 071 675 6972, Sector Two 071 675 6975 and Sector Three 071 675 6977. -@MthuphaFanie
