Please find herewith a report on activity the past week ending Sunday 3 May 2020
We have picked up an increase of movement into the area especially during the day; this being a
direct result of shelters not having space for the homeless, resulting in them streaming back into
the area. Many of the old faces are back and some new faces have been identified.
A shack was demolished at the Park in the Fort during the day on the 28th of April. While on foot
patrol in the area that same night, our Responders discovered the shack was again erected during
the course of the evening. The shack was again broken down and the vagrants ushered out of the
area. It is imperative that Metro SAPS assist with the regulations of the by-laws in order to avoid
an influx of vagrants and shacks in the area.
Batteries were stolen from EH Walton early in the week; the suspects all seem to favor the
bushes bordering Baakens as an escape route. Although several shacks have been demolished in
the area by the authorities the past few months, indications are there that shacks are again
popping up. A resident staying in South End which overlooks the Baakens area picked up
movement in the bushes and we have relayed the information to SAPS.
Although we have seen a decrease of crime in the first three weeks of lock down there has been a
sudden spike in crime the past two weeks in all the Sectors.
This can be a direct result of:
1) Criminals being released on parole (we have arrested one a week ago in Cape Road breaking into a property, having being released on patrol a few days earlier and he claims to stay in Central)
2) Stolen goods being sold for drugs
Hunger is not a factor as Healing hands is providing soup daily for the homeless and needy
Constant visibility is a big factor, and when not using the vehicle the Responders do foot patrol in the area.
The cell phone is manned between 18h00 and 06h00 and any suspicious activity must please be
reported to the Responders on 079 537 4679. Should residents wish to not implicate themselves by reporting
criminal activities on the group, we recommend they send such information directly to the phone.
All information received is treated confidentially.
