The Din-Al-View CPF acting head patroller, Francois Clifford, is warning people in the area about certain crime trends.<\/p>\n
Dinwiddie, Albemarle, Castleview, Norton Small Farms and Union fall within the Din-Al-View area.<\/p>
The public and patrollers in the area are urged to be on the lookout for the following:<\/p>\n
Most of the time criminals are very organised and know how to get away quickly and easily.<\/p>
They plan their getaway before the crime.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you give a description to the CPF or the police saying there were two suspects who fled, all they will be looking for is two people and not a car and three suspects,\u201d Clifford said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is how they get away.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need the community\u2019s support to please report any suspicious-looking vehicle standing still in a place where there is no reason fir it to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cReport it immediately; you might be saving someone\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Wits Rifles on-and-off ramps to the N17 are prime hijacking hotspots.<\/p>\n
There are open fields from which to watch, large bushes and reeds in which to hide and a quick getaway to Katlehong, Wadeville, Rondebult or Germiston.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople should also be careful in places where people are begging, your concentration is on the beggar and not on your surroundings,\u201d said Clifford.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of hijackers pay the beggars not to warn people and they comply as they need the cash, or are already a part of the syndicate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Never stop on the side of the road to help someone change a tyre; it could be a set up, with the hijackers sitting and waiting for you to assist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey especially use women to act as if they have had a breakdown,” Clifford added.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have to help, call the SAPS sector van or EMPD and tell them that there is a woman stuck at a location.<\/p>\n
\u201cThink about it, all of us have cellphones, all of us have someone who can help somewhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf not, rather be selfish and safe instead of becoming a victim.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are auto assist companies that will help so keep their numbers on you if you really feel the need to help.\u201d.<\/p>\n
Clifford added that the Din-Al-View CPF needs the community to work with them and help to create awareness.<\/p>\n
\u201cRemember, you are only as strong as the person next to you when it comes to fighting crime, if you aren\u2019t helping we lose half the battle,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
When it comes to meetings, the CPF encourages all community members to attend.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the community stands together and attends meetings, patrollers are motivated and have a reason to spend their free time patrolling for members who do care about the person next to them, and do it unconditionally.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease take half an hour of your time once a month to attend,\u201d Clifford said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Other Din-Al-View articles:<\/p>\n
Home invasions on the increase in the Din-Al-View area<\/a><\/p>\n Housebreakings on the increase in Din-Al-View area<\/a><\/p>\n