Greenwood Park SAPS shares crime prevention tips

THE Greenwood Park SAPS is hosting a crime awareness campaign ahead of the festive season. Alcohol abuse, human trafficking, cash transfers, car hijackings, housebreaking and beach safety are among the crime trends the station has highlighted.

SAPS members have been distributing informative pamphlets at the Redhill post office as well as several shopping centres in Greenwood Park, Glen Anil and Springfield.

Captain Jerome Slater, spokesperson for the Greenwood Parks SAPS highlighted several crime trends and tips to safe guard against crime.

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“We have been distributing pamphlets on a weekly basis it seems to be a better way of communicating with the community,” he said.

He warned business owners and community members to avoid handling large sums of cash at banks, Atm machines or in pay slips.

“With the festive season, businesses are busier and criminals target businesses at this time of the year. When going to the bank, try to avoid drawing large amounts of cash and also to change the time that they go to the bank, so it’s difficult for criminals to keep up, because when they keep to the same pattern all the time criminals know when to target them,” he said.

Remote jamming is also a concern as shopping centres fill up around the festive period.

“We have handed out a flyer to alert people of remote jamming, to check all vehicle windows and doors are closed. When a person is parking their vehicle, they must check that the alarm is on, the vehicle is secure and the tracker is activated,” said Slater.

There will be zero tolerance for motorists diving under the influence of alcohol.

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“Our concern is the abuse of alcohol during the festive season, in that people are going to be driving and also not being responsible at home or on the beach. SAPS will be setting up road blocks to curb drinking and driving,” said Slater.

Beach safety for children is especially important as tourists flock to the shore.

“We are concerned about children who are left unattended, especially with the influx of visitors – it is difficult to trace children. It’s also a human trafficking concern because it makes the situation easier for criminals when there are more people at the beach,” said Slater.

For those travelling during the festive season, Salter said housebreaking is a concern.

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