Police state that they are aware of reported crime cases around Westdene Dam but not within, due to the lack of reported cases.
Residents stated that they have noticed a rise in crime happening at the dam, however, Sophiatown Police Station said that due to the fact that they have not received any reports of theft and vandalism happening there, they cannot confirm if resident’s views on a crime spike are true.
Spokesperson for the station, Captain TJ de Bruyn said, “There has been the usual crime around the dam but we haven’t had any reported cases on the dam [itself].”
In an interview with Northcliff Melville Times, the captain revealed the station’s cases over the last six months in relation to the park and Northcliff Melville Times can confirm that no such cases exist. Among the cases were theft, hijacking, house break-ins, and such crimes on roads such as Perth, Lewes and Korea roads. 1st to 4th avenues and many other roads in Westdene. De Bruyn stated that although these are common crimes in the area, they are actively working to reduce them.
He added that the station has regular meetings where they discuss the latest happenings at the dam.
“Every week we have these meetings and to my knowledge, nothing about stolen gates and lights have come up during these meetings.”
This further strengthens their position that according to their information, there isn’t a crime spike at the dam.
The captain did state that they are concerned about the number of students that are victims of crimes such as house break-ins and theft. “Students in Westdene are constantly getting robbed, whether in the streets with their electronic devices showing or at their communes when they don’t lock their doors and close their windows.”
He is urging students in the area to be vigilant and cautious as criminals know they are soft targets.
Reverting back to the issue of Westdene Dam, De Bruyn said the responsibility of the keeping the park safe lies with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo.
“We will continue to monitor the park but City Parks needs to have a park ranger assigned to the dam to ensure it is secured at all times.”
According to him, this along with their strategic routines of the park is the best way to keep it a crime and vandalism free.
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