Storm after the Quiet as the thieves make hay
After a somewhat quiet holiday period it seems as the baddies are hard at work again making life miserable for those unlucky enough to become their victims. Most alarming though is that those responsible for the crime are either not being brought to book or worse still, brought to book but then released on bail so that they can continue to spread their evil. Even in a sophisticated community fully conversant with the law reach a point where enough is enough so one cannot blame our poorer neighbours in China Town for taking matters into their own hands recently.
Nobody can condone vigilantism but it is hard to blame a community when they don’t have policing support and this is about to get even worse. It is no secret that St Francis SAPS (Police Service) is undermanned and under equipped. For them to have their finger on the pulse when they don’t even have the vehicles to patrol their precinct is simply unacceptable and the tax payer, and the impoverished, deserve better.
But worse is to come! An already undermanned station has just lost probably the most qualified member of staff with the transfer of Captain du Toit away from St Francis. In the four years that he was in St Francis he not only acted as station commander until the appointment of Capt. Gomoshe but also heading up the detective branch that in recent times has had significant success in capturing and charging perpetrators.
SAPS really have no right to jeopardise our community by taking such a valuable resource fromus and we need to let the powers that be that we are not happy with their action. Both the Provincial command, if not national command need to be approached to return Capt du Toit to his local post and if not that, then upgrade the station with full manpower and resources that was planned and promised some years ago.
It is time for a petition and St Francis will be approaching those involved with community policing forums to start such which we will be only too happy to support by publishing on these pages. Watch this space for more on subject in coming editions
WE SHOULD LAUNCH A PETITION JUST LET US KNOW HOW TO BE PART OF
Opening windows are barred and interior protected by “eyes” connected to Calibre Security.
House was broken into in 2016 and only a TV was stolen. Entry gained by breaking a fixed window. Probable smash and grab and run.
House was again broken into in June 2017 – thought that only a TV & decoder were stolen but on arrival in December found prawn-pump, bush saws, gas cylinder, fuel tanks, kitchen knives, boat battery etc etc had also been stolen indicating thieves took their time or returned before windows were replaced. Probable smash and take time and stroll away.
Am happy to support in whatever way possible from Pretoria.
GOOD TO SEE 2 HOBBIES ON BIKES RIDING ALONG SUNSET DRIVE LAST WEEK
Neighbourhood Watch is needed now more than at any time, one of our patrols recently found a st us to help youolen 150hp Outboard Motor hidden in the bush at Santareme,
we need more and more volunteers to help in this work which in the main only accounts for two hours per week per volunteer.
Things are getting so bad that we only have the security companies and your own Neighbourhood Watch between us and the villains and judging by reports this morning (Been and Had Robbery) they are not aversed to threatening deadly force against any of us. so please come forward join.