Burglary, robbery and theft out of vehicles are the top-three crimes plaguing De La Haye.
This is according to Bellville police officer Captain Gerrie de Villiers, who spoke to about 50 residents at De La Haye Neighbourhood Watch’s (NHW) annual general meeting at the Dutch Reformed Church on the corner of Frans Hals and Park streets, on Tuesday September 20.
Captain De Villiers said the area was among the top-three highest crime areas among the ten neighbourhood watches he works with in Sector 2. Burglars usually struck on Thursdays and thefts out of vehicles were common on Tuesdays and Sundays. Common robberies usually happened on Wednesdays and Friday mornings.
“Crime incidents usually take place between 7am to 8am and 3pm to 5pm. We find that schoolchildren and people walking alone are targeted during these times,” he said.
Police found it hard to patrol De La Haye because of Old Paarl Road and Stikland station. Linda and Van Tromp streets were also hot spots.
“This is an area that actually requires patrols 24 hours a day because of the location. We find high numbers of foot and vehicular traffic as this area provides easy access to other areas.”
Residents should stress the importance of not walking alone to their children as well as the dangers of the popular Pokemon Go game.
During his chairman’s report, Adrian Lawrence said 56 residents had joined the watch since the last AGM.
David Melson said plans to put up cameras in the area were still in their infancy and funding was needed.
Residents at the meeting seemed to be at odds over how the camera project should proceed, but they all agreed cameras were needed.
Mr Lawrence was re-elected as chairman, Mr Melson was elected as vice-chairman and Gerrie Mostert was re-elected as treasurer. Elsa-Marie Beaumont is the secretary.
