Theewaterskloof |Bredasdorp | Napier
Year 3 • Tuesday 12 March 2013 | Tel. 028 214 1294
Proudly SA walkers
) Residents help win the fight
Patrols give crime the boot ANNETTE THERON
N
ot a single housebreaking was reported in Napier in February, according to police.
Antony Esterhuysen (left) and Darryl Atwell spent two days in Caledon last week after leaving their homes in Muizenberg on 1 March for a walk around the perimeter of South Africa. They are walking to thank Madiba for what he has done for South Africa and will be wearing no shoes or only sandals. Antony says the world is currently heading in the wrong direction and they also want to create awareness about living in the here and now. They estimate that it will take them ten months to a year to complete their round trip. PHOTO: ANNETTE THERON
This is in stark contrast to national trends, which have caused South Africans to perceive housebreaking to be the most common crime in the country. Statistics South Africa said in its Victims of Crime Survey, released in September last year, that housebreaking and burglary are also the most feared crimes countrywide. Napier police say the good news is thanks to foot patrols, active neighbourhood watch members who are in continuous contact with the police, and the community of Napier, which is very active in reporting suspicious activity. The town enjoyed an overall 75% drop in property-related crime in February 2013 compared to February 2012. In January, housebreaking was down by 86%. Drug-related crime increased by 33% in February but contact crime was down by 20%. A Greyton neighbourhood watch member was quoted in the Theewaterskloof Gazette of 26 February 2013 saying that Napier had suffered a spike in crime. Eddie Cassani, liaison officer between the police and the Napier community, says that remarks about a supposed crime spike in Napier could not be further from the truth. He is also proud of the local police station. “It is clean and spotless and our officers do excellent work.” He adds that Napier has a neighbourhood watch which works in conjunction with the police. Not all towns in the area share in the positive trend in property-related crime, however. Warrant Officer Sylvester de Long from Villiersdorp says there has been a considerable increase in theft and housebreaking. Lieutenant Cyril Coetzee from the Caledon police says housebreaking increased, although theft in general is less. Theft out of motor vehicles is down and theft of motor vehicles is zero. Housebreakings in Bot River are also problematic,
at residences as well as at businesses. Col. Mareé Louw from the Bredasdorp police says that although there was a decline in contact-related crime of 10,8%, a 13% increase in property-related crime was seen. She says parolees who have been released now pose a problem, but that the police are working around the clock with foot patrols. “We are of the opinion that parolees are involved in property-related crime. There should be stricter control over them from the Department of Correctional Services.” Louw says the police will soon be launching a project in conjunction with the community police forum, in which they will visit parolees who have been released on charges of housebreaking, “as they are our repeat offenders”. Officers and residents are also busy establishing neighbourhood watches in “hotspot” areas. Lieutenant Pieter du Toit from Riviersonderend says their biggest problem has recently been theft. Captain Gustav Tamboer from the Genadendal/Greyton police said in a previous report that property-related crimes and especially burglaries are still a problem. He urges residents to close their windows and doors at night and even while away from home during the day. He believes that burglar bars and alarm systems are the first line of defence and will help deter potential burglars. Tamboer thanks the neighbourhood watch and security companies for their recent commitment to the fight against crime, as burglaries have decreased over the last three weeks. A meeting with Bereaville residents on Friday 1 March saw them committing to establish a neighbourhood watch. Regarding contact crime, trends are varied across the Overberg. Bredasdorp saw a decrease in sexual offences, despite the attack on Anene Booysen making international headlines. In Caledon and Bot River, assault has increased – but not by much, according to police. One murder was reported in Caledon in February 2012 and one in February this year. In Riviersonderend, assault has decreased while police are experiencing a problem with drugs.