To create awareness of the crime situation, the station sent a safety campaign team, headed by Captain Nthapelo Molepo, to hand out pamphlets to motorists using the road. The notices included warnings for motorists to keep their valuables in the boot instead of in plain sight.
Molepo said, “A lot of residents were aware of the problem on this road. Many said they were victims of smash-and-grabs.”
Constable Matome Tlamela said the streetlights on the New Road northbound off-ramp were not working and this contributed to the number of smash-and-grab incidents. “It is easy for the perpetrators to hide among the bushes which are next to the road as they can hide and remain unseen as it is dark,” said Tlamela.
A number of motorists agreed with Tlamela. Julie and Ray Ind said they appreciated the police’s effort to reduce the number of crime incidents on the road. “I suspect they [perpetrators] vandalize the lights, they are never working,” said Ray.
“We are so glad you [police] are here,” added Julie.
Another motorist, Tumelo Mahlangu, said although she had never witnessed any criminal incidents on the offramp, but said she had always thought that there was something suspicious about the road. “I always see shattered glass on this road,” she said.
Molepo concluded,”We are happy that through police visibility, there were no incidents tonight and that we reached more than a 100 motorists.”
Which other roads do you think are crime hotspots? Let us know on the Midrand Reporter Facebook page
