Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Suburbs hit by increase in crime
Thousands affected by spike, says CPF chair
ABOUT 8 000 people from Heathfield, Elfindale, Windsor Park, Retreat, Steenberg, Cafda and Lavender Hill were affected by the 81 sexual offences, 102 attempted murders, 404 incidents of cases of common assault and 327 incidents of malicious damage to property that took place in the area last year, according to Steenberg Community Policing Forum chairperson Gavin Walbrugh.
Members of the Steenberg policing precinct were dealing with a spike in crimes such as gang violence, drug- dealing, robbery, domestic violence and attempted murder, he said. The spike in these crimes was mostly related to the prevalence of drug-use in the area, which was of major concern .
“We also have an increase in car jackings,” said Walbrugh.
“The other crime that seems to be increasing, which is very worrying, is domestic violence.
“It just seems that family values are diminishing. Drug and alcohol abuse also have a bearing on this.
“Help is available at the police stations for anyone who is being abused – women, children, men – and there is no stigma attached to it.
“Simply apply for a protection order at the nearest police station or magistrate’s court, or lay a criminal charge at the police station.”
Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate said there were two informal settlements in his ward, namely Die Gaatjie and Victoria Lodge.
“The City makes sure they are well serviced. What is concerning is the drug dealers who see the informal settlements as a business hub and are bringing drugs into the area.”
His ward encompasses Southfield, Punts Estate, Wind- sor Park, Elfindale, Heathfield, Retreat, Lakeview, Allenby Estate and parts of Steenberg.
Ward 72 has a dedicated law enforcement officer who is paid from the allocated ward budget and who was introduced after the community decided there was an urgent need for one.
“If this was not done we would have to depend on law enforcement to respond to us only when they have available resources,” Southgate said.
He added that the need for an officer was identified in part because young people were committing crimes and taking part in drug-dealing.
“A few weeks ago some schoolchildren were caught with drugs. I called up our dedicated officer and we were able to catch them in the act due to the fast reaction time.”
Southgate said another contributing factor to crime in the ward was vagrancy. Vagrants often robbed people in the area and police had found stolen property in their possession on occasion.
Illegal dumping contributed to the increase in crime because it attracted more vagrants to the area. They collected scrap items, which they then sold. Vagrants then became familiar with the area, the result of which was an increase in robberies at homes and house break-ins.
Theft from motor vehicles and of motor vehicles was also a cause for concern.