Now that the elections are over and we are having our first 5 day work week in ages, the people sitting in Johannesburg City Power have suddenly realised that they do not have enough electricity to go around. It might be that they are behind on their payments to Eskom or the infrastructure just can not handle the load. Oh, if they sell less power during winter, they get cheaper power, but can increase your electricity bill by a whopping 25%.

So they have decided to implement Load Shedding. Remember the days of sitting in the dark, when Eskom forgot to check their stockpiles of coal at the power stations and ran out of coal, well that is all about to start again.

Strubens Valley and Little Falls have been allocated the Monday, Wednesday and Friday slots, between 10h00 and 14h00.

Currently Business Robberies are showing an increase in the Honeydew Precinct and Business owners and managers are urged to please ensure that they have adequate security in place. Please test the security on a regular basis to ensure that panic buttons are working. Also ensure that you have all the emergency numbers visible for your staff members in case of an emergency, especially after hours.

Security guards must also be visited after hours and ensure that they know who to contact in case of emergencies.

Weekend Business Robberies in Honeydew Precinct:

On Saturday morning at approximately 07h00 a group of 16 suspects arrived in a white Isuzu truck, a white Corsa bakkie and a Red V.W. combi at a business premises in Lazer Park. They held up the two security guards with pistols who were on duty. They then went into the premises where they held up 20 employees.

They then instructed one of the employees to bring one of the company’s trucks to their truck where they off loaded boxes of computers, jewellery and electrical equipment into their truck. They fled the scene in the vehicles that they arrived in. Anyone who has any information pertaining to this robbery is asked to contact W/O van der Walt on 082-925-4515.

There were also two business robberies in the evening and in the early hours of the morning, at Spaza shops in Cosmo City. In both incidents the suspects entered the shop posing as customers and then produced firearms and knives and held up the employees. The suspects fled with money, cellphones and airtime vouchers.

Safety at Business Premises:

• Try to avoid the accumulation of large amounts of cash in cash registers by installing drop-safes.
• Strategically install surveillance cameras and implement some form of access control. Make sure ALL persons including visitors can be clearly identified.
• Keep the premises well-illuminated inside and outside.
• Take special precautionary measures at opening and closing times. Do not leave only one person responsible for opening and locking up the business.
• Take special precautions with regard to the handling and transporting of cash.
• Thoroughly screen employees and involve employees in the security planning and execution, but also keep in mind the danger of information leaks and stick to a need-to-know basis.
• Devise a security plan, including ways to raise the alarm in the case of emergency and procedures to follow if suspicious individuals approach or enter the premises.
• Consolidate efforts to enhance security by involving neighboring businesses in mutual assistance.
• Consult experts and install or erect as many security features as possible to deter criminals.

Child Protection Week:

On a daily basis Honeydew SAPS is assisting children who have become victims of crime. In some of the incidents the parents were unaware of the children’s whereabouts.

Next week is National Child Protection Week: 30 May to 05 June 2011, with the National Theme: “WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN”

Child Protection Week is to raise awareness, as well as to mobilise all sectors and communities towards the holistic development and the care and protection of children. The Child Protection Week has become an annual campaign to educate and mobilize communities to put children first.

Herewith Safety info for children, parents and caregivers:

Home Alone…

# For children to be less vulnerable to dangerous situations they must: -

• not be left alone at home or elsewhere where they can become susceptible to abuse, including alcohol and drugs;

• be taught to keep the doors and windows locked and not allow anyone onto the property;

• know their parents’ and the police’s contact numbers;

• know their home street address; and

• know that it’s ok to say NO when they are faced with uncomfortable situations.

# Parents or caretakers of children must -

• be responsible for their children and ensure their safety at all times;

• Keep an open line of communication and trust between them including knowing their children’s friends;

• know that there is NO waiting period to report a person missing;

• keep a close eye on their children at swimming pools (any form of water), busy shopping centres, entertainment facilities;

• assist the police when reporting a missing child, knowing their schedules and movements and make a point of remembering the clothing they are wearing on a daily basis

• Teach children NOT to make prank calls to the emergency number 10111 as this will block a call of someone who is really in need of police assistance.

The Honeydew CPF in conjunction with the Honeydew SAPS will be starting to draw up and implement the 5 year Community Safety Plan. We are calling on people with expertise, that can be used in this project and who would be able to assist us with this plan, to come on board. If you are in a position to assist, kindly forward your reply via return mail by the end of March 2011. Regards Kim Myburgh Honeydew CPF Chairman

Herewith some of the reported incidents in the Honeydew SAPS precinct for the past week:

House Robbery (Weltevreden Park): At 11:20 the complainant was outside in the yard when she noticed an unknown male. She tried to run back into the house but the male caught up with her and she was forced inside the house. A second suspect with a firearm entered the house. The complainant managed to press the panic button. The suspects got scared and grabbed the plasma TV and play station and fled the scene on foot.

House Robbery (Bromhof): At 14:30 a plumber came to the complainant’s residence. The complainant was in the study when she heard the plumber talking to someone. A few minutes later three unknown men with firearms entered the house. The suspects tied up the complainant and the plumber and ransacked the house. The suspects loaded the property onto the plumber’s vehicle and fled the scene with the vehicle.

Attempted Hi-Jacking (Bromhof): The complainant arrived back at his residence at 21:10 and as he was turning into his driveway he noticed a white Quantum, with four occupants, approaching. Two of the males jumped out and started shooting at the complainant. The complainant immediately put his vehicle in reverse and reversed down the street, he then hit a tree. The suspects jumped back into the Quantum and fled the scene.

Robbery with a firearm (North Riding): At 21:45 the complainant got off a taxi on Northumberland Ave and as he crossed the road three men approached him. All three males were wearing overalls and were armed with firearms. The suspects took the complainant’s bag containing his laptop, cell phone and a medical machine.

The following Festive Season Crime Prevention Operations were conducted during the past week:

The following areas were searched and cleaned, during this operation:

- Seder Road, Randpark Ridge,

- Randpark Drive (greenbelts),

- Palm Court and surrounding areas,

- Freden Harry / Cascades Roads and surrounding greenbelts,

- Beyers Naude / Blueberry Roads and surrounding area.

108 people were searched; one person was arrested as a Wanted suspect for a 2010 Florida case of Assault.

Thursday morning from 03:00 till 10:00 a Greenbelt clean-up operation was conducted in conjunction with JMPD, City Parks and security companies.

The following premises were searched and cleaned, during this operation:

• CR Swart and Pres Fouche – 5 shelters were demolished
• President Fouche and Ysterhout drive – 7 shelters were demolished
• President Fouche and N1 bridge – 12 shelters were demolished
• Beyers Naude and Jim Fouche drive – 15 shelters were demolished

The following successes were achieved:

• 53 people arrested on different Bylaw infringements

- 1 suspect arrested for Possession of suspected stolen property (plasma TV, DVD players, computer equipment)

- 3 wanted suspects were also arrested during this operation:

We would like to remind you of the following holiday safety hints:

Theft out of Motor Vehicle is currently showing an increase and drivers of motor vehicles are urged to please NOT leave any bags, cellphones, briefcases, LAPTOPS or other valuables visible in the vehicle. Lock ALL valuables in the boot of your car or behind the seat if it is a bakkie. Also remove the vehicle’s radio, or cassette players ‘DVD’s, CDs, iPods etc. if possible. The biggest contributors of this crime currently are sector 1 & 5 where vehicles are being targeted in parking areas during the day.

Herewith some of the reported incidents:

Robbery with firearm: At 15:30 the complainant was stopping at the robot intersection of Beyers Naude- and Johan Road when he was approached by two unknown males with firearms. The one suspect pointed the firearm at the complainant and instructed him to open the doors of the vehicle. The two suspects got into the vehicle and ordered him to drive down Johan Road and they stopped in a field. The suspects then searched the complainant and his vehicle after which they fled the scene with the complainant’s cell phone, laptop, cash etc.

House Robbery (Randpark Ridge): At 05:45 the complainant had just opened the gate and left his vehicle idling in the driveway. The complainant was suddenly approached by three unknown males with firearms who instructed the complainant to go back into the house, where the complainant’s wife was. The suspects ransacked the house taking jewellery, cell phones, cash etc. The suspects then tied up the complainant and his wife and fled in two of the complainant’s vehicles.

House Robbery (Weltevreden Park): At 19:45 the complainant was busy reversing his vehicle when suddenly a vehicle stopped behind him. Three suspects jumped out of the vehicle and surrounded the complainant. The complainant was instructed to get out of the vehicle. The complainant’s son started crying in the back and the suspects instructed the complainant to keep him quiet. The complainant’s wife came out of the house to investigate. The suspects took all the victims inside the house where they ransacked the house and fled the scene in their unknown vehicle.

Street Robberies: Pedestrians and residents are again urged to walk in groups where possible – especially ladies and all valuables must be out of sight.

(Golden Harvest Park): At 16:45 the complainant was walking across the park when he was approached by one unknown male. The suspect sprayed the complainant with pepper spray after which he grabbed the complainant’s bag and ran away.

(Hendrik Potgieter road): At 08:00 the complainant was walking when she was approached by three males demanding her belongings. They grabbed her handbag and ran off. The police were called and a lookout given. All three suspects were caught and detained at Honeydew SAPS.

The following Festive season Crime Prevention Operations were conducted during the past week:

Seven (07) people were arrested on By-law infringements; 5 shelters demolished, 12 sleeping places demolished. Two cell phones were also recovered.

The following arrests were made in the Honeydew precinct during the past week:

Murder: 01

Robbery Common: 04

Abduction: 01

Possession of stolen goods: 01

Warrant of Arrest: 03

Possession of dagga: 01

Occupational Health act: 01

Second Hand Goods act: 01

Contravention of Protection Order: 02

Assault GBH & common: 10

Theft of cables: 01

Defamation of character: 01

Reckless and Negligent driving: 01

Shoplifting: 12

Theft general: 07

Fraud: 03

Selling liquor without license: 05

Illegal Hawking: 06

Bylaw Infringements: 07

Drinking in public: 06

Mr. Howard Dembovsky, from the Justice Project SA, will be a speaker at the Strubens Valley Public Library at 19h00, on Wednesday, the 27th October 2010.

Mr. Howard Dembovsky has appeared on TV, radio and the print media.

THIS TALK YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS.

Having problems with lack of response from JMPD? Know your rights when caught by traffic law enforcement.

The presentation will be approximately 30 minutes, thereafter questions can be asked.

A father was murdered in Little Falls on Friday night. Not much is know at the time of posting except for the police reports:

On Saturday morning at approximately 00:50 the Honeydew SAPS where called out to a Murder scene. On arrival at the scene the body of a male was found with a gunshot wound. It is alleged that the complainant heard a noise outside in the yard and went to investigate. It is unknown what happened outside and how many intruders there were. The circumstances regarding the shooting are still under investigation and anyone with information is requested to make contact with Warrant Officer Sekhula of the Honeydew Detective Services, on: 083 502 3850.

The Honeydew Community Police Forum in conjunction with the Honeydew SAPS will be holding a Public Meeting on Saturday 23rd October 2010, at 09h00 at the Rhema Church (cnr Hans Schoeman and Rabie St, Randpark Ridge).

Major General O.D. Reddy (Cluster 9 Commander) will be the guest speaker at this meeting.

All residents who reside within the HONEYDEW PRECINCT are welcome to attend.