In light of a recent spate of crime in Delta Park, community members are implementing creative ways to keep each other safe. Since December, residents have shared their experiences of crime in the park on social media.
Armed robberies were the most serious as well as most prevalent crimes reported. Non-governmental organisation Jozi Trails, along with volunteers and park lovers, will be implementing the Trail Guardians initiative from 13 March. This will see groups of volunteers doing the rounds in the park at specific places and specific times each day. “They will have panic buttons with them to call the security companies,” explained Jozi Trails security coordinator Owen Cook.
“They will be walkers and cyclists, going along a 6.5km stretch of the park. We will be working with local security companies as well as Parkview, Linden and Randburg police.” Later on, Jozi Trails hopes to instal poles with cameras, panic buttons and possibly communication equipment at crime hotspots, while ensuring the cameras do not invade the privacy of residents living next to the park. Cook said 20 of these poles can be installed with a view to having more if necessary. If this is successful, poles may be installed at other parks and public places in the greenbelt.
Also read: Delta Park visitors worry about crime
Resident manager of the Delta Environmental Centre, Geoff Lockwood explained that the park usage has gone up in the last year, and so has its crime. “Delta Park is not completely fenced off so even though they were not supposed to, people have been coming into the park since the move to lockdown level 4 last year and they could exercise outside in the mornings,” Lockwood explained.
Linden Police spokesperson, Constable Takalani Matumba said many of the recent crimes were not reported, and she encouraged residents to come to the police when crime occurs.“Criminals are taking advantage of people who use our roads and public spaces for both exercise and walking,” she said. “For people that exercise by running or jogging, make sure that when you are exercising that your valuables are always hidden from plain sight. Be vigilant of those in front of you and behind you at all times.”
Details: Linden police 011 888 9211.
