Communities of Palmview have faced a rise in home invasions and burglary leaving its denizens fearful for their lives and property wondering if there is an end in sight. 2
An edited picture image showing a suspect found with stolen items in Palmview.
Keroshan govender
After a long day of work, a Palmview resident returned home only to find their bedroom window broken, their laptop stolen, and their copper pipes torn off their wall.
With the cost of living, poverty, and drug abuse at an all-time high, incidents such as this have become commonplace, with copper theft, burglary, and home invasions becoming a rampant issue in the Palmview area in the past year, with over ten copper thefts occurring in the past week and the murder of an elderly woman in the Sastri Park area.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and security companies such as KZN VIP, RUSA, etc., have increased patrols within the area as citizens and clients become more desperate for security. However, one Palmview resident says that whilst they acknowledge the effort these groups are putting in to assure their safety, their efforts are sometimes in vain as perpetrators somehow find means to overcome the obstacles put in place.
When asked about how the SAPS plans to curb theft within the afflicted areas, Phoenix SAPS Sgt. Romesh Govender stated that local scrap yards and drug dealers with ties to any alleged perpetrators will be investigated. “As a Police force, our number one priority is to provide a safe and just society for all to prosper in, and anyone who tries to disrupt that will be dealt with by the law.
Currently, those that we arrest regarding copper thefts and home invasions are proven to be drug users, and so we plan to cut off their source with the hope that this will prevent further damage to the community,” says Sgt. Govender. The SAPS also urges civilians to remain vigilant during these times and recommends that homeowners invest in deterrents that will help prevent potential or future break-ins. “A dog is an invaluable form of security for a yard, as most suspects think twice before entering a yard with a dog in it, and if you do not want to go through the trouble of raising one from a pup, the SPCA has a wide variety for you to adopt.
Higher walls or razor fencing, even electric fencing is also recommended. Try to keep electronic items, tools, or anything valuable locked away or indoors and out of sight. And something a lot of people forget to do, if you see suspicious behavior, report it,” says Sgt. Govender.
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