Africa-Press – South-Africa. Joe Slovo and Dunoon are among the highest ranking areas for murder in Milnerton after an increase of 40% has been reported for April – Brooklyn and Milnerton Ridge increased with 10%.
This is according to Milnerton police Station Commander, Brig Dirk Vosloo at the recent Milnerton Community Policing Forum (CPF) meeting where he provided a crime overview for April.
He says that murder increased considerably and now stands on double-digit numbers.
“Murders take place mostly on Saturdays and Sundays (Saturday night shifts) between 21:00 and 00:00 and 00:00 and 03:00. Shebeens are most active, people are drunk and vulnerable, and ladies are on the street during this time slot which is a huge risk to their safety,” he says.
Robberies have also increased with Freedom, Democracy Way and Bosmandsdam, Loxton, Omarumba and Century Way reported as the hot-spot areas.
During weekdays most murders are committed on Mondays and Tuesdays, both in the mornings (06:00 – 09:00) and afternoons (15:00 – 18:00 and 18:00 to 21:00), he said.
Police also reported that 789 litres of alcohol and R4 367 cash were confiscated in April. Summer Greens remains a hot spot.
Drugs remain an issue.
“Gummies, dagga and edibles were seen on display in Brooklyn. Law enforcement is required to address issues in Summer Greens as sales are made outside the Summer Greens Pub by a person who disregards the metro police’s instructions. New information has come to light about the sale of alcohol from his vehicle.
Vosloo said police were informed about liquor in sachets being sold in Phoenix.
“It is a new type of liquor that is sold by foreigners, starting from R7 a sachet. Besides being illegal to sell alcohol on the street it may also contain other illegal substances.”
Vosloo requested the members report the “tsotsis” for arrests to be made.
At the CPF meeting, a Phoenix representative asked how complex it is to implement CCTV cameras. Vosloo said the use of technology like CCTV cameras is an amazing resource but subject to budget availability and currently there is no funding from the national police for implementation.
“Joe Slovo and Dunoon are also high-density areas. The local ward councillor should be approached to request that funding be made available, alternatively, communities rely on private security to assist.”
The possibility of bicycle patrols was raised. Andrew Mentor and Vosloo said Phoenix Security offered that service when the business started but since then they moved out of the area.
Phoenix residents were encouraged to participate in their neighbourhood watch or form street committees to become the ears and eyes of the police.
“Furthermore, communities should continue to report to the police, who will respond. The biggest challenge for the police is that people do not want to get involved/report crime. It was resolved that the various contact numbers be shared regularly with communities.”
A metro police representative said at the meeting that of the 12 operations planned for April, only two were held in Joe Slovo and Summer Greens.
“One arrest for drunken driving was made, broken traffic lights were attended to, 37 by-law enforcements were undertaken, and 599 traffic fines were issued. The complaints logged by the public were attended to. Integrated law enforcement operations are planned for May and will include attending to sidewalk/pavement complaints. Services between metro police and law enforcement need to be better coordinated as it appears that law enforcement is not able to address all issues.
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