Community must unite to fight crime
The increase in home invasions and hijackings have left people fearful of their lives at every turn.
Residents living in Westville and surrounding areas have to face the reality that the suburb is experiencing the worst crime wave in its history. The increase in home invasions and hijackings have left people fearful of their lives at every turn.
The Highway Mail spoke to former policeman and chairman of the CPF sub-forum (Ashley, Mariannhill Park, and Caversham Glen) and chairman of the Community Control Room (CCR), Justin Bosse, to explain the crime from his vantage point. It is a given that criminals are violent, but the escalation of violence towards families in homes that are burgled appears to be malicious to the man in the street.
“Knowing that security officers and neighbourhood watch patrollers and some home owners are armed means the criminals can’t bring knives to a gunfight,” said Bosse.
About 80 per cent of house robberies are internally related meaning that domestic workers and gardeners might inadvertently be giving information away about the many valuables in the home they are working in.
“The tying-up of people is a scare tactic to get people to cooperate and is often drug-related. It’s the younger guys that hurt people to prove a point.
“The police are short-staffed and have limited resources and security officers are likewise limited as they have areas to patrol and can’t just take off after a getaway car. The ADT-sponsored control room (ADT House, Pinetown) has brought all the neighbourhood watches together on one channel so a call for assistance reaches everyone,” said Bosse.
What you, the resident can do?
– Get involved by joining and supporting neighbourhood watch groups and join the community police forum.
– Report every crime no matter how small so the police can identify a pattern in the area.
– Illuminate the outside of your house and don’t leave valuables lying around. Beams facing the yard can alert you that an intruder is outside.
– As far as hijacking goes, don’t make eye contact and although your instinct is to fight for your possessions, don’t.
– A tracked car and cellphone are returned about 80 per cent of the time.
– Be vigilant. Always drive with locked doors and closed windows.
– Don’t wear expensive jewellery or have laptops, cellphone and handbags displayed on seats.
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