Crime remains a pressing concern in Newcastle, with residents looking to the Newcastle SAPS for solutions. However, recent figures have highlighted the challenges faced, revealing one police officer for every 800 people in the area.
This statistic was highlighted by Brigadier Vassie Naidoo, the station commander of Newcastle SAPS, during a recent community meeting convened by the Newcastle Community Policing Forum (CPF) in Arbor Park.
At the meeting, residents expressed their frustrations regarding police response times and the persistent crime rates affecting the community. Brigadier Naidoo acknowledged these concerns, emphasising that law enforcement was striving to do its best.
As worries about crime escalate, Newcastillian News reached out to the Newcastle SAPS to inquire about their efforts to tackle the situation. In a conversation with Brigadier Naidoo on Thursday, 4 April 2024, it was revealed that the Newcastle SAPS was exerting considerable efforts to combat crime. However, the Brigadier highlighted certain challenges beyond their control, such as dark spots in town which included poorly lit areas and the absence of CCTV cameras.
“People think it is the police’s problem, but addressing crime requires a multi-faceted approach, and this is what the community needs to understand,” remarked Brigadier Naidoo, underscoring the need for community involvement.
Moreover, he noted that currently contact crimes such as assault and property related offences posed significant challenges in town.
While joining the necessary crime fighting structures was essential in curbing these crimes, residents were urged to report all incidents to the police and see them through the legal process.
Not only would this spotlight problematic areas, but it would guide the allocation of resources to hotspots in town and ensure the problem was addressed appropriately.
On the problematic issue of a 1 to 800 ratio of police to residents, Brigadier Naidoo could unfortunately not divulge much information as National or Provincial SAPS would be responsible for the allocation of more manpower. However, he did explain that the Newcastle SAPS was collaborating closely with the Newcastle CPF and local security firms to tackle crime and work against this challenge.
Focussed on solutions the Brigadier elaborated, “We require the participation of all stakeholders, from residents joining neighbourhood watch groups and the CPF to religious institutions and schools educating people on the importance of being the eyes and ears of the police.”
As Newcastle SAPS perseveres in combating crime with limited resources, the community is called upon to provide support and assistance to law enforcement efforts. The call for community engagement in tackling crime is urgent and vital for the safety and well-being of all residents.
What are your thoughts on all of this? Share your views in the comment section below.
Comments 3
Rubbish utter Rubbish.. They need to get their houses in order and stop placing the onus on the community. Where are the 1000’s of new police recruits promised? How do they expect to tackle riots if they don’t have police manpower? The community also has jobs and pays taxes and rates we expect more not silly blaming and passing the buck..
Absolutely rubbish…. what would you expect from corrupt inept cops….. blame the community for not fighting crime ????????? It’s not our job to do the polices work!!!!!!! We pay alot on rates , taxes, this muncipality and police that govern newcastle is thr very same people who are running this country into the ground………..
I’m still waiting for the guys to be caught from a home invasion in 2020…. so please…. spare us the nonsense…..
They know our areas are hit night after night after night, they know about the drug dealers in town.. they know about the drug addicts stripping house bare in suburbs… they know about all the taxi gang wars and are mates with all the taxi bosses….
Newcastle police are corrupt and inept to do their duties!!!!!! Why the hell are we forced to keep enduring sub par rights!!!!!!
Remove them from Office!
.
When will they do something about criminal element in the CPF structures ? Recently, a CPF exco member was harboring criminal elemente at his skrap metal business and refused entry to the SAPS to investigate.