PCN 28 May 2014
Danie Taljaard Park - Dangerous! BY PHILIP ALLEBONE
Every time we hear about Danie Taljaard Park there is another incident of robbery or violence, and it seems that the park has become a ‘no go’ zone! 5On the 21st of May a man went to the dam to
check on a substation there. He parked his vehicle and got out to check the substation when he was approached by four men. The men were armed with a brick, a length of steel and fa knife. They beat the 51 year old with the brick on the head and demanded money and his cell phone, or else they would, they said, kill him.
He tried to placate them, and even tried to get the cell out of the car for them, but they hit him with the steel and told him that they would kill ,him. They took the keys from the car and as he raised his hand to his now profusely bleeding
The Drill Man
head, they stabbed him under the arm. The blade went in over 12 cm deep. They cut him on the chest as well, and hit him some more, then told him that they were taking the keys and were going to leave him to die. He managed to get up to the road, but no one would stop to help him, despite the blood pouring down his body. He made it to where a man was selling rugby shirts and tried to call for help when a co-worker stopped and picked him up, taking him to his son’s work nearby from where he was taken to hospital. The man, robbed of his necklace and ring, was helpless, unable to defend himself against the four armed men, but as his wife said; “God was with him”, the knife missed his lung by millimeters and did not cut any vital muscles, despite him needing over 39 stitches. He is still dealing with the trauma of the incident but at least now he can start to heal. The park is very dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Armed assailants lurk in there and it is impossible to keep clear. Be safe and stay away!
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BOKSBURG NORTH SAPS COMMUNICATION SERVICE
yOn 2014-03-07 a suspicious male was picked up by members of Boksburg North SAPS. It was alleged that he asks people to borrow rtheir electric drill. Mostly he asks the elderly residents to “borrow” their electric drills.
On 2014-04-27, Sunday, the suspect was caught red-handed busy taking off garden lights from the outside wall from a resident in Allouette Street, Impala Park. He carried a plastic bag containing a “borrowed” electric drill. He allegedly “borrowed” the drill from an elderly resident in Beechcraft Street, Impala Park. The complainant was traced and a case for theft under false pretence was opened. He was arrested and detained by Boksburg North SAPS. The man was released from Court and was reprimanded to appear in Court on 2014-05-15 again.
When interviewed the first time, he allegedly told SAPS members that he “borrows” a drill from people and tells them he moved in next door to the residents, and he wants to fix lights on his walls. He then sells the drill to anyone who will give him a little money for it, then he uses the money to buy himself illegal substances.
On 2014-05-20 at about 11:00 the morning, Mr. Drill man was arrested again for theft of an electrical drill, by Benoni SAPS. It is apparent that this man never intends to stop his act of stealing electrical drills.
When the suspect gets cornered or desperate, he is very aggressive. If you do not want to buy the drill from him, he will also get aggressive. Hopefully he will stay off the streets after his arrest.
No complainant came forward that could positively give us a statement regarding any theft of a drill and we had to release him.
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Under New Management Bistro • Pub • Grill • Pizza •Full Bakery Families Welcome! Kids Play Area
Armed Robbery in a Complex… Again! BY PHILIP ALLEBONE
On the 15 of May three armed men broke into a unit in a complex in Outeniqua Avenue in Pomona. According to the reports the men were all armed with small firearms and drove a white Yaris. The lady of the house came home and drove into the complex and somehow the men prevented the gate from closing. As she exited the car the three were behind her. They forced her into the house and shut her in the bathroom before stealing jewellery and fleeing. It is clear that whatever security that you have the criminals are working to circumvent it, and it is strongly advised that not only do you know how your security works but do those little things to make sure that the systems work to the best ability. I know myself that waiting for the complex gate to close before driving down to the house can be an irritating thing, especially after a hard day, but those little details are what make sure you are safe. If someone tries to force their way in after you, lean on that hooter and don’t let them come in! There are just too many reports of crimes like these to ignore. It would be nice if we did live in a safe environment but we don’t, and care is needed to protect ourselves and our families. Be safe people, it is far better than being sorry!
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PCN 28 May 2014
CMS in Action BY PHILIP ALLEBONE
It would appear that the patrolmen have been rather busy in the last two weeks, and the incidents have been coming hot and fast. Since 15 May alone there have been fourteen people arrested in nearly as many incidents, and the suspects taken to the police station, and looking at the number of incidents there has been at least ten incidents a night that has needed response. Most of what has happened seems to be house robbery or damage to property when people have tried to break in, and it seems that hijacking has slowed down a little, but there has been a number of incidents of domestic violence, some of them against children, and while the figures are not huge
they are still more than usual, which is rather disturbing. We are approaching the time that the paramedics talk of as ‘suicide time’ and indeed there have been a few more attempts, some successful unfortunately, and we are apparently to expect more. There is always someone to talk to, and if you are a CMS client there are services that are just a call away! People are generally more violent it seems, judging by the incidents, so be careful out there and make sure you stick to a good security routine! To the patrolmen out there – well done, there are a lot of grateful people that you have helped!
True Justice
Clearly the first issue is that they are caught and taken to court, but the case is, in fact, a civil case, and you cannot help but wonder what happens to the officers after such a case.
This is a decision for the Department of Negative Discipline, and it appears that the public never get to hear about what happens to them. They might just be moved to another area, but surely if they have been involved in criminal activity once the chances are that they will be involved with such things again, and it seems to me that since we the community rely on the police for our safety and peace of mind, we need to be sure that they take the hard line against criminal officers and the public need to be made aware of the fate of such officers.
If, for example, the officers are jailed, then clearly that is the way they go, but if they are fined and reprimanded but not physically jailed, where do they go, what happens to them in the ranks of the police and do they get fired?
Certainly we shall be keeping a sharp eye on the case to see what happens and we will have to ask what will happen to the officers after the civil case is done. After all, the only justice worth having is true justice.
BY PHILIP ALLEBONE
The case for the two officers that were caught in Eastlands Office Park in Boksburg on charges of solicitation while in full uniform is about to reach its conclusion and it makes me consider the situation that we face when police officers are involved in crime.
After an Arrest
BY PHILIP ALLEBONE
I fascinating look into what happens after an arrest was afforded to me the other day when I was following up on a case that happened on the 16th of March. In the incident armed robbers went into a business in Birch Road and stole money and cigarettes before attempting to flee in a red Toyota Corolla. As they fled CMs responded and a shootout occurred. In the ensuing shootout one of the four suspects was killed outright, one was critically injured and later transported to hospital, one surrendered and one managed to escape.
Since that time Crystal Park police have been busy gathering evidence and presenting it in court, and it is interesting to see that the one that was shot but survived has been linked to several other robberies that are under investigation as far afield as Germiston. Further investigation is underway and the comment from the police is that they are having good success in compiling their docket. It seems that as organized as the criminals are with their gangs and what not the Crystal Park police and CMS are just as organized and are able to achieve great things when it comes to stopping crime. Well done guys!
Child Justice BY PHILIP ALLEBONE
A number of past cases that we have seen have been ones where the criminal caught in the act was a child, and the question seems to be what can be done when a child commits a crime? In many cases it seems that they will get away with murder, but as it happens there is a whole set of laws that cover this, and this is touched on in the Child Justice Act number 75 of 2008. Now the Constitution says that the best interests of the child have to be upheld in all decisions made for the child and since April of 2010 this act has been in effect to attempt to keep the balance between the law and the Constitution. Prior to the establishment of this act children were dealt with in terms of the Criminal Procedure act, just as Adults are, but since then the act has come into effect to try and make provision so that the children can be helped into becoming productive members of society. Specifically the CJA is aimed at dealing with children between the ages of 10 and 18, where they are considered old enough to know what they are doing, but not old enough to be held fully responsible. In the law a child below the age of 10 cannot be arrested and in such cases the child is referred to the Children’s Court instead. Between the ages of 10 and 14
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the child may be arrested but their ability to have ‘Criminal Capacity’ must be proved. Between 14 and 18 the child is deemed to have criminal capacity and can be arrested. There are three levels of crime that a child can commit, Minor, including such crimes as theft of property valued at less than R2500, common assault and damage to property of less than R1500. More Serious Crimes, which include theft and damage to property of greater amounts than minor crimes, robbery, but not with aggravating circumstances, assault GBH, Culpable Homicide and arson. Most Serious Offences, where robbery, rape, murder and kidnapping, for example, are considered. The child will go into w preliminary enquiry within 48 hours of his or her arrest and before their first court appearance and will attend the same in the company of their guardian and their probation officer, as well as the Magistrate, the prosecutor the arresting officer and their attorney. The child will face a sentence that is aimed at rehabilitating the child, such as community service or other restorative justice options, and if the child is deemed serious in their crimes, a youth care center may be ordered, but in general jail is avoided as an option as it is not deemed properly restorative to the child. The child
Lost Husky If you lost a male husky in the Pomona area then they have found him and sent him to a private kennels in Benoni. The SPCA has been notified as well. The poor thing was found running in the street on High Road near Orion Road and
is apparently neither microchipped nor neutered.
Siobhan Kelly from Husky Rescue – SA is contactable on 083 399 3999 if you are the owner and wish to get the fellow back!
Loving Intimidation BY PHILIP ALLEBONE
One of the worst things that you can experience is when a person that is meant to love you becomes a source of harm to you. A case that I came across on the 21st of May is one such case, and according to the lady in question has been going on for quite some time. The relationship began as one might expect, lots of love and care, until suddenly things started to change. As is always the case he would hit her, then be really sorry, and beg forgiveness, and so it would go on, until one day suddenly she discovered about the other women… As it transpires there were four of them, all in the same boat together, and so the lady took the right course of action and dumped the idiot. Unfortunately he did not take the dumping so well, and he carried on with his crazy ways. She tells me how he would take her out to an open field and fire off his handgun then make her sniff the barrel, telling her that she could see that no one noticed the shots and
it would be that easy to kill her. He would turn up at the house and threaten and demand, but fortunately the lady is made of sterner stuff and she did not let the matter rest, taking the case to the police and alerting CMS - her security company - of the situation. She also had he brother move in to help as she lives with her mother and grandfather and she was obviously greatly concerned about their safety too, and she is fortunate in that her brother is a large man.
In short, she did all she could to increase her security and has not let the worthless man dominate her life. It is clear from the many times I have seen such situations that the kind of man who will hit you once is the kind of man who will keep doing it. It is sad to say that the concept of a gentleman seems to be becoming increasingly rare in our society, but ladies; scum is scum and you really do not need such men in your life. Well done to the lady on her courage to break free, and well done to the guys that helped her make it happen.
Security and Robbers BY PHILIP ALLEBONE
Looking at the number of house robberies that we are experiencing I asked around for some of the tricks that they use and how we might counter these things. Some of them are quite simple and can be easily dealt with, so there are indeed ways that you can make your life safer with not too much effort. The first one is logical. The robbers like to target you as you enter and exit your property, but especially on entering, as one of the first things that you do is turn off the alarm. They can either follow you in and make you turn it off, or wait until you are in and then slip over the wall. According to some police I spoke to, the way to make this safer is to ensure that as you approach your home be very aware of who is around you and make sure that if you think there is a suspicious vehicle circle the block, and if they are still there, raise the alarm. When you enter your home, if you have an alarm system, make sure that you know how to use it, so that you can turn off the alarm inside the house, but can leave the outside beams on. Have a large dog if possible, or even a small one, as the small yappers will warn you if there is trouble. Have panic buttons or an emergency line on your phone, so that you can call for help the moment that you think there is trouble. The critical time in this instance is between is assessed at this time and generally social workers are called in to assist with the child as it is deemed best that the child is helped to atone for their crime in a way that helps them reenter society in a positive manner. The child’s background and upbringing are also assessed as it may be deemed that part of the cause of the child’s criminal behavior is due to their life situation and living environment, and this has to be taken into account. Ultimately the situation and process may be slightly different for a child, as it is aimed as much at helping the child as it is at justice, but nevertheless the child will still have to face the consequences of his actions and despite all, justice will still prevail.
arriving home and before you go to bed, as when you go to bed you usually rearm the outside, but not when you have just got home.
Another trick the criminals use is to follow you home from the shops, so that they catch you when you are busy with your hands full of shopping bags.
According to patrolmen having outside beams and sensors on the gate is a good way to deter criminals, as it dramatically cuts down the time that they have to operate before the security arrives.
The biggest thing that all of the people I spoke with agree upon, however, is that is you have security features, then use them. Close the security gates and lock them, even if it does create a small hassle to open and close them after you. Set the alarm and know how to use it effectively. The best safety is not through having a gun in the house; it is through making it harder for the criminals to enter in the first place.
The Olive Branch Trauma Centre Dr. Barbara Wade
Triumph over life’s difficulties through professional therapeutic counselling. Relationships - Play Therapy Anxiety - Depression - Divorce Abuse - Trauma Specialist 37 Wordsworth Rd, Farrarmere, Benoni. Tel number: 011 849 7473 Cell: 072 122 4766
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Intermediatery Services in the Courts
suspect.
BY PHILIP ALLEBONE
How does this work?
It came up recently that I was asked what happens when a person has to testify in the courts when they are a child of a witness that cannot face the court directly, such as in the case of a rape when the victim cannot face their attacker. This is a very good question and I went down to the courts to ask them what they do in this case.
Well the task of the intermediary is to relay the questions from the court to the victim in question, and then back to the court. This is to ensure that there is no contact between the suspect and the victim, but also so that there is no hostile questioning of the victim, especially in the case of a child. The court questions the witness in the Witness Testifying Room which is separate from the courtroom. Usually a video feed or a one way mirror is used to allow the judge to see and hear the victim but there is no video tape made of the proceedings. The victim is not able to see the courtroom or the
In the case of such delicate situation the court is in a position to provide what they call an intermediary, so that they do not have to face the court directly.
It is a point of interest that came up recently to ask what happens if a criminal act occurs on a property that I own? Surely it is not my fault as I was never there and it was not me involved, so how can it affect me? Well actually you can be held accountable for certain crimes on property you own, and in fact you can lose the property as a result of it. If the crime is a singular and once off crime, such as murder or assault, then this does not reflect back on the property owner, but if the crime is a long term one the law changes. Say for example that you rent a property to a person who then runs an illegal business, makes or sells drugs or is involved in terrorism or sedition. An investigation into you will be conducted as it is deemed that 1) you should have
PRECINCT ABBREVIATIONS:
ABP - APEX BUSINESS PRECINCT ACP - ATLASVILLE COMMUNITY PRECINCT APHA - ALPHEN PARK HOMEOWNERS ASS. AVCP - ACTONVILLE COMM PRECINCT
Intermediaries are not appointed automatically in a case, and so to get such a person the prosecutor would need to apply to the court for one. It is also the case that the Judicial officer of the court may use his or her discretion in appointing an intermediary if they feel that the person requires one.
In the case of a rape victim if it is believed that undue stress may result from being in the court at the same time as the suspect it may be applied through the Prosecution, again with proof of the need, that the evidence be given in camera so as to restrict the amount of stress that is placed on the victim. In short, the court is capable, upon request, of helping with many of the problems that may arise from exposure in the court to the suspects and by speaking with the prosecutor you can manage to make the experience of giving evidence a great deal less stressful.
BY PHILIP ALLEBONE
been aware that something was wrong and reported it to the police and 2) you have received rent from the person and thus have received the proceeds of a crime and are therefore guilty or benefitting from the crime. The state is thus in a position to even confiscate the property from you and you may even face other charges. According to the Prevention of Organized Crime Act 121 of 1998, you can be held accountable, and there are several sections that go into detail as to how, knowing or unknowing, if organized crime happens on your property you can be blamed and even charged for it. In brief, then, you as the property owner is expected to be careful as to who you allow on your property and what they actually get up to in there, or you may well find yourself losing the property.
Jet Park Business Precinct has been allocated a new Sector Manager (Sector 2) and we welcome him as our partner in the fight against crime. We look forward to building a successful and fruitful relationship between SAPS and our community.
He is Warrant Officer Anton Du Plessis and his area of operations covers: Jet Park, Hughes, Bartlett, Bardene and Jansen Park. His Sector vehicles can be contacted on 071 675 6982 or 071 675 6983. JPBP would like to take this opportunity to say ‘farewell’ to our previous Sector Manager, Sgt Jaco van der Mescht, who has been transferred to another position. Jaco, your involvement with our community was tremendous and we will not forget what you have achieved. Good luck to you in your future endeavours.
BASS - BENONI AGRICULTURAL SAFETY & SECURITY BCP - BREDELL & POMONA COMM PRECINCT BNCP - BENONI NORTH COMM PRECINCT BPCP - BONAERO PARK COMM PRECINCT BSCP - BENONI SOUTH COMM PRECINCT
Crime Statistics
The facility is always available to a child but must be asked for from the Prosecutor of the court. The facilities are usually only available to persons under the physical or mental age of 18 who would suffer unduly if they were to be in court. In order to show that the person would qualify for such facilities it is up to the prosecutor to prove to the court that they would be required and that the undue mental stress would follow, and to this end a social worker is used to assess the child.
In these cases the only time that the child is exposed to the court in any way is if they have to identify the suspect, and in these cases access is severely restricted and one way mirrors may be used to ensure that the suspect does not see the child.
Jet Park gets New Theft & Arrest! Sector Manager
I Didn’t Know – Not Good Enough BY PHILIP ALLEBONE
PCN 28 May 2014P
BWCP - BEYERS PARK WESWOOD COMM PRECINCT CCP - CLOVERDENE CRYSTAL COMM PRECINCT FCP - FARRARMERE COMM PRECINCT GNCP - GREATER NORTHFIELD COMM PRECINCT IPCP - IMPALA PARK COMM PRECINCT
Please refer to the Precinct Abbreviations above for reference.
It seems that the main person doing the arrest in this case was the client himself, so to speak. The story is that last week a gentleman picked up a man to help him with some work and when he wasn’t looking the man relieved him of cash from his bakkie and fled. The gentleman managed to find him again and with the help of the police the man was arrested for theft. Of course the lesson learned here is that you cannot trust random people on the side of the road, and while charity and kindness have indeed got their place, the reality of the world that we live in is that you simply cannot trust people anymore. Don’t pick up casual labour, no matter how heartfelt their pleas or how sad their story may be. The number of incidents where picking up a random person has ended badly are simply too many to ignore. You may be almost certain that most of the odd people asking for work do not have your best interests at heart, and while in this case the man was arrested on the 27th of May in O’Reilly Merry Street, it was pure luck that he was found at all in many ways, much less that they were able to catch him.
JCP - JOINT COMM PRECINCTS JPBP - JET PARK BUSINESS PRECINCT RCP - RYNMORE COMM PRECINCT WECP - WESTERN EXTENSION COMM PRECINCT LWRA - LAKEWEST RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
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