Residents of Leonsdale in Elsies River are calling for an
end to smash-and-grabs in the area.
They stood in solidarity with Bishop Lavis peaceful
protesters as they held their own picket on Wednesday 12 September.
Their aim was also to highlight the spate of smash-and-grabs
often occurring in Fransie van Zyl Road.
Residents of the area gathered at the corner of Norwood and
Fransie van Zyl roads to urge motorists to be on the alert.
Andy Cloete, who is the sector chairperson of sector 3 in
Elsies River, told TygerBurger that Norwood Road is “one of the biggest
hotspots for smash-and-grabs”.
He said the picket was also in solidarity with calls to put
an end to gang violence in Bishop Lavis and surrounds. “In our area, about 50
people died as a result of gang violence and about 100 people were shot and
wounded. A two-year-old baby was shot in the foot recently.
“We want to make everyone aware that we have now had enough.
Some people are turning a blind eye to what is actually happening in our
community.”
Cloete said there are reports of smash-and-grabs almost
every day.
Yvonne Swartz, a resident of Leonsdale, said she is tired of
parents who continue to cover up for their children when they do wrong, such as
shootings or smash-and-grabs. “We approach the parents of the suspects to tell
them to speak to their children, but they don’t do anything.”
Constance Snyders said she is one of the few people who
always stand on the corner of Norwood Road to alert people. “I always let the
motorists know that this is a hotspot area. We’ve been threatened by the
community already because of what we’re doing, but we will not give up.”
Elsies River police recently indicated that other hotspot
smash-and-grab areas include Viking Road between Halt and Fransie van Zyl
roads, and the intersections of Owen Road and 35th Avenue, Owen Road and
Valhalla Avenue as well as Norwood and Viking roads.
Police have offered the following safety tips to avoid
smash-and-grabs:
– Be on the alert as suspects tend to target those who are
distracted,
– Lock all valuables in the boot of your car,
– Be vigilant of people loitering at intersections,
– Keep car doors locked and windows closed at busy
intersections,
– When driving at night, try driving in the middle lane as
suspects tend to hide in the bushes or grass next to the side lane,
– If you see an obstacle in the road, do not get out of your
car to move it,
– Fit your window with protective smash-and-grab film, and
– Carry pepper spray or a whistle to protect yourself.
What is your opinion on this article? Let us know at
briewe@tygerburger.co.za.
