THERE is concern amongst Waterfall 3 residents regarding the increase in home invasions and housebreakings in their area recently.
According to Karen Buxton, head of reaction for the Waterfall 3 Neighbourhood Watch, there were two home invasions, one on Thursday, 9 April at 1am and again on Friday, 10 April at 11pm, during which residents were tied up and held in their homes for long periods of time while the suspects ate and drank before stealing their possessions and vehicles. There was also a housebreaking on the morning of Monday, 13 April.
“It is very concerning for us that Waterfall 3 has now become the next area to be targeted by these criminals, and as a result our reaction team has been mobilised and briefed and will be working around the clock to catch these criminals,” said Buxton.
“We are very fortunate to have a dedicated ‘Blue Zone’ area, with 24-hour patrolling in the area, as well as many other security companies also patrolling and assisting our reaction team. The Shongweni K9 unit is very active in our area and we have a close working relationship with them,” she added.
The Waterfall 3 Neighbourhood Watch has also sent out safety tips to all their members regarding their own security, and reminding them about being alert for things like dogs barking, movement in properties, garden items being knocked over, alarms going off, etc.
“Waterfall 3 has for many years been one of the safest areas in the Upper Highway, and Col Joseph from Hillcrest SAPS has often commended us for managing to keep crime from our area with our strong reaction team and efforts.”
“Our residents are our first concern, and these home invasions that are affecting the Forest Hills area, and now Waterfall 3, have become a top priority. The two neighbourhood watches are working together very closely.”
