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Crime statsistics: numbers are in TAMMY PETERSEN
HOUSEBREAKINGS within the Lansdowne precinct have risen by 624 cases to 745 over the last recorded period, according to the recently released crime statistics for the province. And while property-related crime seems to be the most problematic in local streets, the murder rate in Hanover Park almost doubled within the last year, jumping from 17 to 31. The statistics were released on Thursday along with the provincial numbers, and indicate the number of crimes committed per category from April 2010 to March 2011. In the Lansdowne precinct, the number of murders also tripled from two from 2009-2010 to six in the last financial year. Attempted murder rose from 8 last year to 12, while common theft also jumped from 1 134 to 1 370. Fifteen locals fell victim to carjackers compared to last year’s 11, and 18 house robberies were committed this year, compared to last year’s 14. Colonel Lavona Januari, the station commissioner for Lansdowne police, says property-related crimes, carjacking, murders and house robberies remain the priority crimes within the precinct. Methods in place to fight the crimes heavily dependent on police action for detection were high visibility, regular vehicle check points, stop-and-searches, the establishment of neighbourhood watches and street committees, door-to-door campaigns and regular visits to secondhand dealers, she continues. The plan of action to decrease crime is to adopt an “integrated approach” with other roleplayers and forces, holding more joint crime prevention operations, closing she-
beens and drug outlets, and conducting vigilant patrols to nab those in possession of stolen property. Majidie Abrahams, the former Lansdowne Community Police Forum chairperson who retains a position within the CPF after taking a seat on another representative body, believes the local station has “done well”. “There has been a better cooperation within the precinct between the public and the police, judging by the amount of information and tipoffs received. Thanks to this, there has been great successes in the fight against drugs and dealing, which is the main contributing factor in crimes such as housebreaking and common robberies,” he says. Abrahams continues that “great feedback” has been received from locals wanting to get involved in the fight against crime. “People have finally come to the realisation that they have to get involved if they want to see a change in their area. Neighbourhood watches and street committees are being revived, and this will be a great help in decreasing the crime statistics within the precinct.” In the Philippi precinct, all contact crimes, except sexual crimes, increased. A total of 31 people were murdered, compared to the 17 of the year before. Sixty cases of attempted murder were registered at the station, up from last year’s 22; assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm rose from 107 to 111; common assault grew from 376 to 402; common robbery from 96 to 102; and aggravated robbery from 124 to 162. The number of people arrested in possession of illegal guns and ammunition went from 49 to 65, and drug-related crime increased from
SPRING IN THE AIR: The last winter sunset over the CBD on Wednesday proved to be a majestic ending to the cold season – and a scintillating promise of warmer days and golden tans. Photo: Hanrie Bosch 1 110 to 1 346. Common theft also proved problematic, increasing from 871 to 1 230 cases. Colonel Johan Elman, the station commissioner for Philippi police, says the gang violence that flared up in October last year had a major impact on the number of murders and attempted murder dockets opened at the station. “We fought back by holding regular operations, and we managed make 167 arrests for illegal firearms and ammunition,” he says. “The stop-and-search exercises also saw us arresting 469 people, which is a great increase compared to the 309 of the year before.” Elman continues that he is proud of the decrease in residential burglaries, which decreased from 347 to 268. “We also focused on nabbing people in possession of stolen goods by cornering people pushing trolleys and using bins to move things around. “This is something we will also be focusing on in this coming year.” Anthony Daniels, chairperson of
the Philippi CPF, says that although the police “try their best”, the increase in murders is “very concerning”. “Projects are needed to sustain the peace within Hanover Park. While the police must be responsible for curbing gang violence, we as a community have to stand together and try not to let the war start in the first place. “Projects are needed to equip local people with techniques and skills to resolve the problems we are facing, because there is only so much the police can do. We as the community have to do something about it.” Meanwhile, Director Andre van Dyk, Manenberg Police Station commander, also says drugs are a huge problem in his precinct. “Officers are arresting about 10 people a day for possession of drugs,” he reveals. “Monthly arrests amount to between 280 and 340 for drugs alone.” Stop-and-searches have been ramped up, and officers are focusing on cracking down on drug dens to nab dealers, he says.
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Van Dyk adds that domestic violence is another cause for serious concern in Manenberg. “These crimes mainly stem from drugs. It’s a vicious cycle, but we will do everything we can with the help of the community.” He attributes the increase in murders and attempted murders to a spate of gang violence that “has since decreased due to police intervention”. He goes on to say the Manenberg police are working hard to forge better relationships with the community, community policing forums and all other organisations. “I am happy about the improvement of some of the crime statistics, but the determination and hard work of police won’t stop,” he says. “We would like to say thank you to the community for their assistance.” The Manenberg precinct was also ranked one of the top brigadier police precincts in the Western Cape for the 2010/2011 financial year, based on measures put in place to prevent crime, detect cases and manage resources.