The Montgomery Park Crime Policing Forum held its inaugural meeting of the new year at the Mont Haven Retirement Village.
About 40 residents attended along with councillors Patricia Brugman-Richards and Steve Kotze, Rochelle Ludick and Johannes Mosoete of Pikitup, Teacher Rikhotso of Teacher Enterprises who assists with recycling, and Brigadier Susan Pitout, Captain Frans Langeveldt and Sergeant Hennie Nel of Sophiatown police.
The forum urged residents to report any crime, however minimal, to 10111 and make sure to get an incident report number from the operator.
“Rather report something that might be innocent than be sorry later,” said Liz Laranjo, secretary of the forum, “there is a large underestimation of crime in our area because residents couldn’t be bothered to report every crime however small it might be such as the stealing of gate motors, suspicious vehicles or dumping of litter in green areas.”
It is important for residents to report all crime so the police have accurate statistics, thus enabling them to allocate enough resources to the community.
Trends and tips
– Housebreakings and house robberies are on the increase.
– Criminals are often well dressed and driving expensive vehicles
– Residents are often very negligent by leaving the doors, garages and gates open. Be vigilant about this as it invites criminals into your homes.
– Cars should never be left outside on the road. It takes just a few minutes for criminals to steal them.
The Montgomery Park community policing forum meets once a month, every third Tuesday at the Mon Haven Retirement Village, 4 Langenhoven Street. The next meeting will be held on 18 February at 6pm.
