Residents fear for their safety after spike in crime

RESIDENTS along Ryde Place in Glen Hills are fearing for their safety following a recent spike in home robberies along the residential road. According to Philippe Kopp, his family has been subjected to several robberies in the last few months.

“One of our neighbour’s homes has been broken into at least once a month. We moved here 28 years ago and it used to be a safe neighbourhood. Now were are paranoid and scared all the time. When I go to work, I consider leaving all my stuff in the boot of my car as I don’t feel like my belongings are safe at home,” he said.

In 2005, the family was accosted by four men who burst into their home, demanding cash and valuables. Terrified, they had to watch as the men ransacked their home and tried on their clothing. The robberies continued in March, when thieves snuck into their home and made off with a handbag and a pair of takkies.

A week later, the family made another shocking discovery – intruders had once again broken into their home while the entire family was present. They were all oblivious to the cunning attempts of the intruders, who chipped out the wood around a window on the front door, then removed the small window to reach in and unlock the door. Another pair of takkies and pillow cases were stolen. Since then, garden utensils as well as clothes hung out to dry have disappeared from the property.

“During every robbery we were at home. Our greatest fear is that the next time, the incident will turn violent. We don’t want to move. This is a nice area with a beautiful green belt, and we all grew up here,” said Kopp.

He added that the area had recently deteriorated with the dumping and the presence of the informal settlement on Malacca Road.

“Regularly we see people walking up and down the street while they are intoxicated. I don’t simply want to complain. I hope to facilitate a proactive response to the problem, such as fencing the green belt to prevent vagrants and criminals from using it as a hide-out or access point to our homes,” he said.

However, ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, said that while he has been lobbying to have a fence erected, there is currently no budget available for such a project.

“It is a relatively expensive project, and the sad truth is also that fences don’t keep vagrants and criminals out. The fence is simply vandalised, such is the case at the Beachwood Mangroves and Japanese Gardens in Durban North. The biggest relief will come when the informal settlers are moved to Cornubia,” he said.

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