Boksburg police stations up to 75 per cent understaffed

The situation in Boksburg is so dire that Dawn Park is the 12th worst resourced police station on the East Rand and Reiger Park is at number 14.

A reply to a Parliamentary question has revealed crippling shortages of police officers at the police stations across Boksburg.

According to Michael Waters MP, this includes stations in Dawn Park (75 per cent understaffed), Reiger Park (74 per cent understaffed), Boksburg (45 per cent understaffed) and Boksburg North (52 per cent understaffed).

“To effectively fight crime, the United Nations office on drugs and crime prescribe a minimum police strength of one police officer to 220 people,” said Waters.

“In other words, in order to meet the ratio of one police officer per 220 residents, Dawn Park police station would need an increase in police officers of 303 per cent from its current number, while Reiger Park would need a 284 per cent increase, Boksburg a 123 per cent and Boksburg North a 106 per cent increase.”

Waters said to put another way, for every 100 positions at each station, based on the 1:220 ratio, the numbers of vacant positions are at Dawn Park 75, Reiger Park 74, Boksburg 45 and Boksburg North 52.

“Dawn Park police station has one officer for every 887 residents, the Reiger Park ratio is 845, the Boksburg ratio is 490 and the Boksburg North ratio is 454.

“This dire situation simply cannot be allowed to continue. It is little wonder that crime is spiraling out of control. We do not have adequate sector policing and the conviction rate is dismal.

“South Africans need to feel safe in their houses, without fear of waking up with burglars next to their beds. Government has a responsibility to ensure that we are safe in our homes.

“The limited number of police officers can only do so much. What is needed is a commitment from government to not only staff the police appropriately, but to train them to ensure a professional police service.”