Sector 3’s Community Police Forum held a crime awareness campaign at the Ferndale shopping centre on 17 April.
The crime awareness mainly focused on car jamming and smash-and-grabs that affect motorists in the community.
CPF chairperson Linda Bester said they want residents to be vigilant at shopping centres and also at traffic lights.
“We have a lot of cases of smash-and-grabs and also car jamming at shopping centres, and we would like to bring the crime down,” said Bester.
“We will be going to different centres, raising awareness and also forcing people to be careful and just to use a bit of common sense – don’t use your phone when you stop at the traffic lights and when you lock the car, try your handle and make sure your car is locked,” advised Bester.
During the crime awareness, some residents showed interest in the initiative while others walked passed.
One resident, Robert Pressler, said the initiative would help to strengthen the community.
“A lot of people enjoy blaming the police but the crime awareness will help them to be more responsible.”
Sydwell Nyawo from Standard Security mentioned that when it comes to preventing car jamming in the shopping centre, they are winning the battle.
“The crime was too high, however, due to the device that detects if there are any car jammers in the shopping centre, we are winning that battle,” Nyawo said.
Sector 1’s Vincent Hlungwane also warned residents about ATM scams.
“We have had a lot of incidents at the Randburg Square where people complain about scams. Don’t use any assistant from anyone else,” said Hlungwane.
