Rosebank police, in association with Immaculata Shelter in Rosebank, have launched a car guard project aimed at combating the surge in theft, in and out of motor vehicles, that have reportedly been on the rise within the node in recent weeks.
“We didn’t know who we were dealing with in the past but now we know,” said captain Gerhardus Steyn, visible police (Vispol) commander at Rosebank Police Station, speaking at the presentation of uniforms to a group of 11 Rosebank car guard recruits on 15 March. “They were vetted and had their fingerprints taken to ensure that they were clean and didn’t have [any] previous convictions.”
The car guards were sourced from within the suburb prior to having the necessary background checks conducted on them. According to Steyn, one factor, however, that has impacted on the increase of vehicle-related crimes in the suburb is ongoing construction within and along some major thoroughfares in the vicinity of the Rosebank Mall.
He added that the guards, although not trained to confront danger, will be placed along several crime hotspots in and around the suburb. “These guys are posted on the street where we have hotspots and where vehicle-related crimes have actually increased due to construction in the area,” explained Steyn. “The car guards are meant to be our eyes and ears and we really encourage the public to work with this project.”
Sergeant Bongi Mdletshe, Rosebank police spokesperson said the guards will be visible to the public along a number of streets in the area. “The CBD itself has been vulnerable over the past six months, particularly the intersection of Biermann and Bath avenues, Sturdee Avenue next to the police station, Keyes Avenue next to The Trumpet as well as Jan Smuts Avenue.
In addition, Mdletshe appealed to the general public to assist where possible. “For businesses in the area, we’d like them to assist in terms of getting the guards more uniforms. They need more trousers, T-shirts, jackets, umbrellas and raincoats. We also need them to have proper shoes so that they look presentable and professional.
“We will also require cheap cellphones for communication in the event of the commission of a crime. We don’t have hand radios unless someone could donate 15 hand radios for us to use.”
Michael Ntuli, coordinator at Immaculata Shelter said, “We were approached as Immaculata Hall and we referred individuals, who could form part of this initiative, to be vetted,” said Ntuli.
“We had a good response from applicants, but obviously due to the vetting process, some were withdrawn. We, however, appreciate that when we passed the message that this is a [life-changing] initiative, the response was overwhelming.”
Rosebank Community Policing forum (CPF) chairman, Costa Qually, added, “The Rosebank CPF fully supports the initiative of the Rosebank police to involve members of the homeless community of the Immaculata Shelter as car guards in the precinct. Not only will this assist in combating crime, but it will also allow less fortunate members in our community to earn some money.
“We encourage everyone to support this initiative and be generous in their tipping of the car guards. These car guards will be identifiable by a distinctive uniform. We also hope that this will be the first of a number of initiatives where community members in Rosebank and surrounding suburbs become involved in helping to address the scourge of crime.”
Details: If you have any donation you’d like to pass for the car guard project, contact 011 778 4741.
Do you foresee this project as a success? Comment on the Rosebank Killarney Facebook page.
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