One vehicle to respond to smash-and-grabs in Cape Town

If you live in Cape Town and don’t drive around with some sort of a weapon in your car, I suggest you do..guns, daggers, ice picks, letter openers, hat pins, meat hook, something to draw loads of blood or whatever takes your fancy, because if some simian smash and grab artist decides to smash you car window and stick his mit through to grab your keys, you’ll want to give him  the hat pin, doing as much damages as you possibly can, as fast dialing the metro cops is a waste of time.

Metro cops are battling to curb an increasing number of smash-and-grab incidents in Cape Town.

And it’s believed the cause is that the city has only one vehicle to respond to violations spotted on cameras at intersections across Cape Town.

The number of vehicles are believed to have been cut from four when the surveillance cameras were launched, to only one this year.

A Metro police officer, who spoke to Weekend Argus on condition of anonymity, said it was “absurd” that a single response vehicle was expected to patrol all roads and carriageways with surveillance cameras in Cape Town.

One of the “danger roads”, with surveillance cameras at the Jakkalsvlei turn-off to Bonteheuwel, is Vanguard Drive. The intersection has been identified by security companies and police as a smash-and-grab “hotspot”, but motorists say there is no policing and they are robbed there daily.

“The situation is critical, especially now that so many members have been suspended,” said the source.

He was referring to the suspension of more than 100 Metro cops for taking part in an illegal strike in August. They are currently involved in disciplinary proceedings.

“The single vehicle has to patrol Vanguard Drive, the N1, N2, and intersections in Langa, Manenberg, Bishop Lavis and many others.

“And then they keep telling motorists there are cameras up to protect them, but they fail to add that there’s just one response vehicle for incidents picked up on the surveillance system.

“In addition we are short staffed. We had four vehicles when the cameras were launched and now there’s only one available.

“We asked for bushes and grass beside the roads to be cut because criminals hide in the bushes, but nothing is done. No one listens to our grievances and there are no resources.

“All we can do is urge people to be aware and help us fight crime by putting all valuables in their car boots and not on the seat.”

Cheri Keet, of Table View, was targeted at the Jakkalsvlei intersection recently and said she had since become “terrified” of that stretch of road.

“I was driving towards the traffic lights in peak traffic. The guy appeared from nowhere, smashed my window and grabbed my handbag,” said Keet.

“There was nothing I could do, and no police anywhere. You’re just stuck there in traffic with a broken window.”

Keet said she’d received three fines for driving through red traffic lights since the incident.

“It’s scary, and I don’t stop when I see guys loitering around there anymore,” she said.

“It’s earned me three traffic fines, but what can I do?

“I’m terrified and I hope the police will do something about the problem there soon.”

Metro Police spokesperson Kevin Maxwell admitted the department was short staffed and said the shortage had been exacerbated by the suspension of about 117 members.

“Camera Response is a specialized unit within Metro Police and is not area specific, but a support and force multiplier,” said Maxwell.

“I can’t give a number, but we do have vehicles on patrol,” he said.

“We encourage all staff to provide the department with suggestions to improve affected areas in respect of crime prevention.”