MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – A sharp rise in the incidence of crime is being experienced in the new extension. A mass meeting in this regard is scheduled for December 8.

The increase of crime in the new extension (Extension 2) was a point of discussion during a special meeting of the Sector Crime Forum on Tuesday at the SAPS Community Centre.

During the last fortnight of November, eight incidents of theft from motor vehicles occurred in the New Town. Other problems include theft of motor vehicles and housebreaking.

It was interesting to note that most of these particular crimes occurred in the late afternoon and early evening. The executive committee of the Sector Crime Forum ascribed it to the fact that many people come home from work, leave their vehicles outside the garage and relax in front of the television set. In the meantime criminals are roaming the streets to see what they can take from motor vehicles or which motor vehicle they can steal. The streets that were especially targeted during the latter part of November were Bauhinia, Petunia, Verbena and Olifant Streets.

The other problem area was the far northern part of the new extension, including Waterbessie and Jasmyn Streets. The dense bushes near this area provide coverage for criminals. The other area with dense vegetation is opposite Leeu Street. The Sector Crime Forum requested the municipality to clear the area so that criminals cannot hide there.

Another problem that was identified was the huge problem of illegal immigrants. The Forum admonished residents not to employ illegal immigrants, whose modus operandi is that they initially don't steal from their employers, but from surrounding houses or farmsteads. They allegedly continue in this manner until they make a big enough "catch" and then disappear.

The new extension was identified as a crisis area, as opposed to the rest of the town, where the dividends of sector policing are starting to pay off. The idea of sector policing has not yet been grasped fully by residents of the new extension.

Sector policing is defined as a method of policing in smaller, more manageable geographical areas in a police area district. It involves all role players in identifying the particular policing needs in each sector. It is aimed at addressing the root causes of crime, as well as contributing towards effective crime prevention. The community, police members and reservists take a hand in implementing effective crime prevention.

Towards that end, the new extension was divided into six smaller blocks, each with a coordinator who can be contacted the moment any suspicious person or activity is detected. Block One is north of Tshirululuni Street (previously Kommandant Piet Moller Street) with the coordinator Mr Nemavhandu (082 627 1288). Residents from Block Two (between Leeu Street, Bauhinia Street, Tshirululuni Street and the N1) can contact Mr Kobus Barnard on 082 889 6334. Ms Marie Helm (082 683 2835) is the coordinator for Block Three, which is between Leeu, Bauhinia, Kameel and Tshirululuni Streets. Block Four is between Leeu, Bauhinia, Kameel and Alwyn Streets and the coordinator is Mr Sam Ramabulana, who can be contacted on (015) 516 3584. Mr Etienne Hendricks (082 8810821) coordinates Block Five, which lies between Sibasa Road, N1, Bauhinia and Impala/Eland Streets. Block Six (between Sibasa Road, Leeu, Bauhinia and Impala/Eland Streets) is coordinated by Mr Dries Rossouw who can be contacted on (015) 516 4320.

In order to effectively combat crime in this area, residents of the new extension are requested to attend a mass meeting on Monday, December 8, at 17:30 in the open space across Safari Motors/ Ricky's Supermarket. Superintendent Maanda Malange, Crime Prevention Commander, requested residents to attend the mass meeting for their own benefit and the safety of their property.