Gateway stop and searches set for festive season
Gateway management said there would be various sting operations and roadblocks in and around the mall.
WITH the festive season fast approaching security in and around the Gateway precinct has been beefed up. In a joint operation between Durban North SAPS, Gateway management, the Ridge Management Association and security company, Enforce random stop and searches are being carried out. The aim of the operations are to check for stolen cars, stolen items, invalid licences, number plates, and license discs.
Durban North/Umhlanga CPF member Dean O Brien who also works for Enforce said he came up with the idea to help make people aware as they lead into the festive season.
“The stop and searches will be at random gates at random times. This week we held two operations and though we didn’t arrest anyone we did get a number of vehicles that were not licenced and a lot of illegal number plates. We also want to make people alert as we wind down to the busiest time of the year.
“Part of the operation will also identify and search vehicles that look suspicious. We have to take a proactive approach to crime in the area which generally spikes through December. In one of the operations last week we alerted a shopper that his back door had been tampered with, he didn’t even know until we pointed it out to him,” he said.
Capt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS, confirmed they would be involved in similar operations.
Shevani Maharaj, marketing liaison officer for Gateway Theatre of Shopping said the centre will increase its manpower with more visibility.
