Fighting flagrant vagrants
PLETTENBERG BAY - Crime fighters have decided to regularly sweep vagrant hotspot areas. The matter of individuals taking up residence along the town's coastal areas and abandoned buildings has been a thorn in the side of crime fighters for several years. The vagrants not only pose a security risk and a health risk for those visiting the areas, they also create a bad impression with visitors and tourists.
"We are very concerned about the number of vagrants and bush sleepers that are in our town at the moment," said Lisa Nagel of the neighbourhood watch group, Plett.Watch. In an attempt to deal with the situation, Nagel said they would be organising sweeps
Another large bust occurred on 17 June when police confiscated 446 grams of magic mushrooms at a house in Gordon Street, Knysna. The drugs hold an estimated worth of R46 000 and a 36-year-old suspect was arrested for the cultivation of drugs. of these areas and urged residents to help by informing volunteers of related problems they are experiencing. "We need to know where their hiding places, sleeping spaces etc. are. The more people involved, the easier and quicker it will be," Nagel said. "There will be no danger involved and if we show that enough people are against it, the vagrants may decide to move away from Plett." She previously said that complaints are usually relayed to the relevant authorities and as a rule vagrants are removed from the area, but they return within hours.
She explained there is very little authorities can do within the ambit of the law to keep vagrants off the beaches. Only if they commit a crime and a case is opened, can police act.
KNYSNA - Police in Knysna carried out two busts this past Sunday, 29 August, in which stolen property to the value of at least R22 000 was recovered.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies, the busts occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning. "At about 00:10 the members conducted blue light patrols in the Knysna CBD when they noticed a man with a grocery trolley acting suspiciously," Spies said. "They approached the man and proceeded with a search of the trolley when they found three Schulz impact drills. He was unable to account for his possession and the items were confiscated. The police subsequently arrested the suspect." Within minutes after this, at about 00:15, the team was launched into action by an alert from a local security company after a suspicious person was seen cycling on a bicycle in the vicinity of Hunter's Home. "On arrival they noticed the man disappearing into the bushes," said Spies. "A search of the bushes ensued where the suspect was found hiding. The police apprehended the suspect and confiscated the bicycle valued at about R10 000."
Both suspects face a charge of possession of suspected stolen property, and remain in custody. They are expected to make their respective court appearances in the Knysna Magistrate's Court during the course of the week.