Brooklyn police warn of ‘month-end crimes’

Brooklyn police have urged residents and businesspeople to work together with the police to enhance the efforts to prevent month-end crimes.

Acting Brooklyn police station commander Colonel Terrence Naidoo said his team was geared up for the month-end weekend and the remainder of October.

“A vast police presence will be in place at shopping malls with supplementary visible patrols for residential areas and main roads.

Crime tends to escalate at month end and over weekends, so police want the Brooklyn community to be safe,” he said

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Naidoo warned restaurants and shoppers to pay attention to their surroundings.

“They must be aware of someone watching them, or following them, especially if they withdraw a large amount of cash at an auto teller machine or from the bank,” he said.

“Shoppers must try to avoid an ostentatious display of expensive jewellery, mobile phones and other valuables.”

This comes after several incidents of armed robberies were reported where shoppers were followed home and robbed in their driveways or at shopping centre gates.

Naidoo said businesses could assist by enhancing their security and sensitising staff to be observant of any suspicious persons, vehicles and circumstances.

“Vehicle-related crimes are still too high and motorists are reminded to remove all valuables from parked vehicles. Where possible motorists must park inside yards and not on pavements.”

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Brooklyn residents have an opportunity to meet Naidoo during the annual general meeting of the local CPF on Monday, 6 November at 18:00 at the Elim Church in Duxbury Road, Hillcrest – opposite the Brooklyn police station.

Crime tendencies, prevention measures and community involvement will be discussed, Naidoo said.

Brooklyn police have offered the following guidelines to help residents:

– Be observant at all times. If you feel that you are being followed by another vehicle, do not drive home. Drive to the nearest public place where you can feel safe and report the incident to the police.

– Develop a habit of locking all security gates and doors, even when you are home.

– Upgrade security at back doors, windows, sliding doors and at main gates. Criminals get access to premises by derailing main gates.

– Do not leave valuables like laptops and cellphones near an open window where they can be easily accessed from the outside.

– Talk to your domestic worker and gardener about safety.