Another Fairland house invasion
FAIRLAND- Fairland residents are worried about the massive crime rate, but police say they have reduced crime and are finding new ways of fighting against it.
Crime in Fairland continues. Another elderly woman (85) was attacked by six armed men in her home.
“As my mother’s gardener came into the gate, two men followed him in and kicked the security gate where my mother was,” said Anne Marie Cronjé, daughter of the 85-year-old survivor.
These two men came into the house and tied them up.
“Four more guys came into to the house and continuously hit her,” Cronjé told Northcliff Melville Times.
The armed accosters inflicted serious wounds to the extent that the elderly woman had seven stitches on her head.
“Even days later, my mother still has a blue eye. She has not been able to go to her house since the incident, because she is now very afraid,” added Cronjé.
She believes the area is not safe because there is a veld near the house, and it is a possible hide-out for criminals.
Fairland station commander Colonel Mkacani Maluleke said since his appointment the station has made numerous arrests in the area.
“We have also come up with new ways of fighting against crime.”
Captain Patrick Sejang added, “we are very concerned about the crime and we try our best. We are concerned as the community is”.
Changes made by the station to combat crime
Fairland police station has implemented a unit that patrols the area.
“The unit also goes to all hotspots and ensures that we are visible in the area as a means to reduce the crime rate,” commented Warrant Officer Karel Mostert.
In addition, the station also has weekly meetings with all security companies in the area where they inform each other about the problems in the area and come up with means of working together to fight against crime.
Issues are also attended to at the Community Policing Forum (CPF) meetings.
Police response time has also been reduced to five minutes in anywhere around the area.
Fairland victim support unit
Fairland police station has a victim support unit that helps all residents that have been involved or witnessed a crime.
“We make sure that we visit the homes of the survivors within the hour from the crime being committed,” said Dr Sally Rothemeyer of the Fairland victim support unit.
Upon arrival at the crime scene, the victim support unit performs crime scene containment and ensures that survivors are safe and have a place to sleep.
At present, the victim support unit seeks victim volunteers to assist with helping survivors.
“Apart from going to crime scenes to provide on scene assessment and attending to immediate needs, we follow up on victims”.
Volunteers need a background in psychology, nursing, paramedical fields, teaching and sociology would be an advantage.
Male volunteers are also welcome.
“This is not work for the fainthearted but is a rewarding way to give back to the community. With extremely traumatised victims, we walk with them every step of the way,” Rothemeyer concluded.
Residents urged to be more careful
Residents are urged to be more careful in the area.
“Most of the crimes in the area are opportunistic crime,s and we need to reduce those,” said Mostert.
According to him, there are a lot of smash-and-grab incidences and incidents where robbers jam car doors.
“Whenever residents lock their cars, they should make sure to check that their cars are really locked, because there are thieves that jam the car doors when you lock your car and then steal items in the car,” warned Mostert.
Residents should call 071 675 6160
