The Community Police Forum for Flora Glen, Northcliff, Quellerina and Bergbron suburbs held its first meeting of the year at Hoërskool Die Burger in Roodepoort.
More than 40 people attended to express their concerns over crime in their respective areas. Beagle Security, Best Security and Ward 89 Councillor Ingrid Reinten also attended.
The meeting was opened by Warrant Officer Riaan van den Berg of the Florida Police Station, who gave a detailed breakdown of the crime statistics for these suburbs for December 2013 and January.
Van den Berg felt that the statistics from January were better in comparison to December, but only regarding armed robberies. “The amount of burglaries reported at Florida Police Station remained the same as December, at 18 reported cases,” he said. “Armed robberies were down from five to two.
“Unfortunately, in December four cars were reported stolen, but in January that number went one up to five. Theft out of motor vehicles increased significantly, with eight reported in January as opposed to the four reported in December.”
In Bergbron, seven cases of housebreaking were reported, three in Florida Glen, one in Northcliff and two in Quellerina. “Most break-ins occurred during the day when the inhabitants were not at home… No arrests have been made regarding these robberies,” said Van den Berg.
Reinten expressed her concern about the open veld area from Newlands through to Northcliff. “As a community we have to be vigilant and look out for one another,” she said. “But those governing the city need to realise the importance of securing and monitoring these conservation and field areas, as they are used by vagrants to get access to suburban areas which has a direct impact on crime.”
She believed that the clearing of these areas on a regular basis would increase visibility for those policing these sectors.
In December, a gang which was operating in Quellerina came under police fire. “One suspect was shot dead, one was injured and the third ran away,” said Van den Berg. “In January, however, incidences in Quellerina decreased dramatically and we are positive it is due to the gang being split up in December.”
Van den Berg noted how important it was for residents to report attempted robberies and other crimes at the station, as it helped to establish patterns and gave the police more information on what to look out for.
Details: FNQB CPF Bruno Ragianti, 082 900 4383.
