Both violent and property-related crimes have dropped in Table View over the past six months, according to the precinct’s police chief Colonel Lindiwe Dyantyi.
She was speaking at a public meeting last week, attended by about 60 people, including members of the community police forum, the neighbourhood watch, Table View Angels and Ward 107 councillor Nicky Rheeder.
The Table View precinct has three sectors: Sector 1 includes Bloubergstrand, Big Bay, Blouberg Sands, Bloubergrant, West Beach, Blouberg Rise and Waves Edge. Sector 2 is Parklands and Sunningdale. Sector 3 is Table View, Sunridge, West Riding, Flamingo Vlei and Doornbach (Site 5).
It’s in Sector 3, especially at Blaauwberg Road, Potsdam Road and Site 5, that much of the precinct’s violent crime happens.
“I am not allowed to show actual figures, but what we know is that Site 5 is the largest contributor in terms of murders, assaults and robberies in the area,” Colonel Dyantyi said.
In the tree sectors, over the past six months, there were 1 430 arrests for assault, 515 for drug possession, 154 for driving under the influence, 55 for housebreaking and 27 for robberies.
Table View resident, Leon Alhadeff said the area desperately needed more police resources.
“I called SAPS on October 6 to
my house as there was a disturbance. Today is the 24th and there still
hasn’t been anyone to respond to my call. Something needs to be done,” he said.
Colonel Dyantyi said national
government decided on the allocation of police resources. She said she
would follow up on Mr Alhadeff’s claims.
One resident suggested making Potsdam Road and Site 5 a fourth sector and stationing police officers there.
Colonel Dyantyi said, “Of course we would love to have more resources and make that possible, but, again, it is not up to us at station level to make that kind of decision.”
Aziza Nolan, the founder of
Peace Home, a non-profit caring
for child victims of abuse, said she
was worried about people taking pictures of other people’s children at the beach.
“I would like to know what we can do as residents when we witness this. We have had incidents like this at our beaches and I will not hesitate to put myself in harm’s way to defend a young child,” she said.
Colonel Dyantyi said: “I would not suggest that you expose yourself in that manner as you might also be putting yourself in danger.
“Although you do have a right to approach that person and tell them to stop what they are doing. If they persist, you can open a case of harassment against them.”
