EDITORIAL: Cable thieves’ hi-tech methods raise eyebrows
Thankfully their efforts were thwarted by the combined efforts of a determined, civic-minded resident who stumbled upon them, and the effective patrol network of the publicly funded crime fighters, the CCPO.
THE brazen, well-equipped thieves who attempted to steal fibre optic cables in Athlone Park certainly have the hallmarks of being people in the know.
Thankfully their efforts were thwarted by the combined efforts of a determined, civic-minded resident who stumbled upon them, and the effective patrol network of the publicly funded crime fighters, the CCPO.
Without the vigilance displayed by Irene Pote, and the commitment of the CCPO, much of the area would quite likely have been without telephone and internet coverage come Tuesday morning.
Too often, sophisticated syndicates are behind the epidemic of crime that has besieged South Africa. This certainly appears to be the case in an instance where specialised equipment is rigged and used as they set out to accomplish their nefarious deeds.
Ingenuity is another trait that the thieves employed to get the job done – using the cover provided by manholes to ensure that they were hidden from view. And because they were interrupted, they figured they’d wait for the dust to settle before they simply returned to get the job done. Thankfully the CCPO has the tenacity and foresight to ensure that they’re one step ahead of the game.
More like-minded residents like Irene are needed, so that any suspicious activity is noted and timeously reported. In this way, crime fighting networks – like the CCPO – can respond in time to catch criminals in the act.
The CCPO always needs more funds to ensure they have more patrol men and vehicles on the streets. Call them on 031-903-7037 to sign up. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
