I applaud your editorial (Time to step up to the plate, week ending 15 August).
It is indeed a reminder to all residents, motorists and stakeholders to take responsibility and act in a united and innovative manner to fight the scourge of escalating crime. I am a visitor to this city, and during my last visit in April this year, a family in Gallo Manor had experienced the most horrific armed robbery where even little
children were traumatised.
A clear photo of the car used by the perpetrators has been in the hands of the police and the private security company.
During my current visit in August I am informed that a similar house robbery took place last week in the vicinity of the first robbery. Apparently the same white Volvo and very same modus operandi was used in this robbery.
While it is not anyone’s intention to always point figures at the police or the security company, it is however, very frightening to ordinary citizenry that these thugs can so brazenly carry out their operations unfettered with no fear of being caught.
Photos of the car used by the perpetrators have again been circulated to alert residents.
After I became a victim of crime in the South Coast of KZN, I joined the fledgling neighbourhood watch in that suburb. The community collectively banded together and implemented patrols and Whats App monitoring and community contact. We are pleased that the community’s collective action, awareness and vigilance has yielded very positive results and crime rate has decreased substantially.
Let us take the cue from the editor and rise to the occasion and defeat the criminals!
It can be done.
