GALLERY: Linden limits security to reduce crime

Linden residents have been asked to limit their security options, in order to reduce crime in the suburb. This as the Linden Community Association held two identical SOS Community Meetings at Laerskool Louw Geldenhuys on 9 and 11 June. At the meetings, which were attended by about 350 residents in total, Linden Police spokesperson Captain Alex Vermaak said that crime was increasing in the suburb, and a response was called for from the residents.

The association’s chairperson Estee Jamieson discussed how residents in the 2 500-household suburb could get involved as street co-ordinators, or contact representatives of the association to deal with various issues. Then association committee members Neels Claassen and Pieter van der Linde explained the association’s plan to deal with crime: residents will be asked to choose one of two security companies on offer. The most popular security company will be given a deal to provide security for the entire suburb.

This because the more residents that sign up for a company, the more power and personnel it can utilise in an area. This includes more guards, patrol vehicles, and high-tech licence plate recognition cameras placed around the suburb with fibre optic cables from Vumatel. Two companies were selected on various criteria, and residents were asked to make a choice in the next few days. “It is easy to commit crime here [in Linden],” said Claassen. “We are indifferent, quick to criticise and slow to react.”

Vermaak declared his approval of the plan. “This is the biggest meeting I have been to in 13 years,” he said. “You are showing me you are ripe for making the right choices. The guy who responds to your alarm and patrols the area more frequently than we [the police] do, you have a right to choose.” He concluded that Linden Police would cooperate with whichever security company the residents choose. The security companies were Cortac and CSS Tactical.

Details: Linden Community Association lindenjhb@gmail.com