Police have plans to fight crime

In a letter in last week’s George Herald about crime becoming a scourge in George, Brian Kotzé asked the police what their plans are to do more to protect residents.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Capt Chris Spies replies:

The police management in the Garden Route District noted the concerns by the author of this communique. We want to assure the public that operational plans are in place and being executed daily as part of various crimefighting efforts to safeguard the public.

The SAPS is transparent in interactions with the public and the media pertaining to crime reported, when enquired. Incidents published recently are part of this approach. Regular engagements in the form of public meetings or imbizos where police management interact with the public are also being conducted regularly. The Western Cape provincial police management hosted a similar event at Thembalethu recently. We encourage the public to attend these community engagements where everyone is afforded an opportunity to interact with the management.

Dedicated detectives attached to our Serious and Violent Crime units have been assigned to probe incidents referred to in this letter. A suspect arrested during a failed house robbery, one of the incidents reported, remains in custody. Investigators are working around the clock to pursue others responsible for the attack on the elderly couple.

It is important to note, police stations in and around George are working closely with other law enforcement agencies, Security Companies, Community Police Forums, Neighbourhood Watch structures, Farm Watches as well as Community in Blue volunteers to create a safer environment for the communities.

These stakeholders are key in our efforts to safeguard communities and combined crimecombatting efforts are embarked upon daily. Some successes achieved in the recent past were well documented on numerous media platforms. These types of crime-combatting efforts as well as awareness campaigns will continue at all police stations.

In conclusion, we urge the public to join community safety structures in their areas and become involved in various crime-fighting efforts. Information on illicit activities affecting communities should at all times be conveyed to the service.

We encourage the public to report such to the nearest police station or alternatively at Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Information could also be conveyed via the MySAPS app.