- The Monte Vista Boulevard bridge (M26) over the N1 highway has become a hotspot for crim.
- The Monte Vista Plattekloof Glen Neighbourhood Watch is working closely with local security companies to increase patrols and visibility in problem areas.
- Vice-chair Deon Oosthuizen emphasises the importance of reporting incidents quickly.
The Monte Vista Boulevard bridge (M26) which crosses the N1 highway is a hotspot for crime-related incidents.
Earlier this month a young man was robbed at knifepoint on the bridge. According to the Monte Vista Plattekloof Glen Neighbourhood Watch the victim was walking home at the time. The suspect was arrested by the Goodwood police underneath the bridge on Monday 8 July, the neighbourhood watch says.
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Deon Oosthuizen, vice-chair of the neighbourhood watch, says a member of the detectives went with the complainant, and they arrested the suspect.
“For us at the neighbourhood watch it is all about information. We try and structure patrols and visibility where the problem areas are. We have good working relationships with Fidelity ADT (FADT) and District Watch, and they help a lot when we get reports like these to get armed response officers at the locations,” he says.
Smash-and-grabs
Last week again they received a report about a smash-and-grab on the bridge. One of the District Watch officers immediately made his way to the bridge.
“He also agreed to undertake regular patrols. I have asked FADT to also send officers during peak times as I feared they will come back when people come home from a long day at work.
“People are less focused and often on their phone waiting for the traffic lights to change. This is when they are caught off-guard,” Oosthuizen says.
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He says trying to get information out there, like to not have valuables in sight, is one way of dealing with the problem.
“They spot people from far away and set you up. By the time you realise what is happening your phone, laptop or handbag is gone.
“The same goes for the people walking on the bridge, people need to hide valuables and have their head on a swivel. Notice who is on the bridge. You can often tell who is coming and going to work and who is waiting for a victim. If people can, walk in groups.
“We also need to get the information out as soon as possible. Often, we hear of similar incidents days or weeks later. The quicker we get the information the faster we can go see and get resources to a spot.”
Oosthuizen says the police can only respond if they are made aware of a problem, so victims need to open a case, as sometimes a little information helps fill in the gaps
