The Rosebank police alongside several security companies and the Excellerate Managed Services shared festive crime awareness with residents. The crime reaction teams went around the precinct distributing pamphlets, warning people on what to watch out for. Rosebank police spokesperson Sergeant Bongi Mdletshe said they started encountering crime from lockdown Level 4. A few criminal elements became apparent in the precinct and they include people getting robbed of their cell phones, snatching of cell phones also increased along with theft out of motor vehicle and house robberies where people were being tied up.
“As we are going towards the festive season, I cannot say much in terms of how the regulations will be in December; but we as the police have a mandate to ensure that everyone in our policing precinct is aware of the crime patterns,” Mdletshe warned.
“If people are going away on vacation, we know housebreak-ins will happen as people know that there is no one in the house. We advise people to make sure that their security companies with which they have contracts are informed when they leave.”
He added that suspects place certain things in front of the gate and if they are not removed within a couple of days, they know that there is nobody at the house. So people must have someone to monitor their properties when going on vacation. The sergeant said the issue of snatching of cell phones is big and takes place in other precincts too.
“We have made few arrests in the past. The suspects normally cover up by pretending to be emergency taxi operators (Uber or Taxify). Avoid using your cell phones in public areas, especially when walking on the street. If you want to use your cell phone be at a place where there is a security officer. When waiting for an emergency transport service ensure that the details of your car driver in the app are the exact same details on the actual car that comes up to pick you up.”
Mdletshe also warned contractors next to construction sites not to leave tools unattended because suspects see this as an opportunity and they could break the bakkie and take those tools. He said that suspects no longer just take laptops left on top of car seats but anything that lies unattended in your car. He advised people to take their belongings with them wherever they went or at least leave vehicles with someone to guard them.
“Regular operations will be done among all security companies and police. We will try and involve the Metro police regarding parking issues.”
He added the police have registered a rise in wall lights outside residential areas being stolen. Suspects often pose as workmen and dress up in blue overalls thus if residents see such people fidgeting with wall lights, they should take photos or inform reaction officers immediately.
Details: Rosebank SAPS 011 778 4732/ 4735.
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https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/147109/revamping-rosebank-police-station/
