While Laudium’s infamous ‘glorified car guards,’ who go under the banner of Laudium CPF, despite playing politics and not adhering to the rules of the CPF, remain ‘incompetent’ in assisting in the fight against crime in the area, many residents remain living in fear.
As crime continues in the area, the CPF, whose membership includes those born in Pakistan and also those who have criminal records, have to date not accounted to the community as to how much money they receive each year and how the money is spent.
This follows yet more crime reported to the Laudium Sun this week, by members of the community for stats purposes, so that the community can be warned.
In one of the latest reports of crime received, an armed robbery took place this past Sunday (Feb 8) in the early part of the morning, as the sun was rising. Two armed thugs robbed a Somalian national as he walked from Mosque after the early morning prayer at around 5:45am. Abdirizak Olat who was robbed as he was on his way home on Jade Street, Laudium, was highly traumatised while he explained his ordeal to the Laudium Sun…
Abdirizak told the Laudium Sun, “I was returning from my morning prayer at the nearby Mosque and was walking towards my house on Jade Street. The street was very quiet at that time. Suddenly, I saw two Black thugs approaching me. One of them immediately pointed a gun at me and demanded that I give them everything I had in my pocket. It was early morning and the only thing in my pocket was my Oppo mobile phone. I immediately handed the phone to the thug. Then he asked if I had any money. I explained that I did not carry a wallet because I had gone to pray. The thug searched me but did not find anything else. I then pleaded to them to at least give me my SIM card from my phone, which was very important because it contained many personal contacts. The thug became aggressive for a moment, but eventually threw the SIM card back to me. After that the two thugs ran quickly towards 15th Avenue. They were on foot and disappeared fast, before I could react. I went home immediately and took one of my brothers with me to search the street, but we were unable to find either of them. This robbery has left me traumatised and feeling very unsafe, because crime in Laudium is becoming worse every day. It is frightening that criminals show no mercy even for a person returning from prayer. It is difficult to walk alone, even during daylight, without fear of attack. This robbery made me realize that Laudium is changing in a negative way and any sense of security is disappearing. Residents like me must take extra caution in our everyday life, because these thugs do not hesitate to target anyone. Laudium is no longer a peaceful place and the situation is deteriorating fast. The way I see it, living in Laudium has become extremely dangerous, as the trust in safety has been broken. I pray that the police and CPF patrollers will start doing more visible patrols in the area. Every resident must feel safe in their own home, or even walking on the streets. Living in fear each day cannot be and should not be normal for anyone in this community.”
Maryann Poley of Jade Street, told the Laudium Sun, “The early morning hour, especially as the sun rises, is very dangerous for any resident to be on the streets, because these crooks know that the streets are deserted and that the police are more concerned about going off duty at that time. Jade Street is very quiet at that hour and this makes it easy for thieves to target anyone who walks alone. The quiet environment gives the criminal the opportunity to approach and commit crime without fear of interruption. Even during the day, when people walk to work, school, or prayer, the risk of being attacked remains very high. The terrible ongoing crime must stop because it is affecting the daily life of everyone. The police and the CPF should ensure that the safety of residents is a priority. A visible presence of Police and CPF Patrollers would discourage criminals from attacking pedestrians. Every resident should be able to leave home without worry. Children, the very elderly and adults must feel safe in their homes and on the streets. We demand that the police and the CPF work out a plan on how best to protect the community. We are tired of this crime and it is time that the police and CPF act against these criminals.”
Anwari Cassim, also of Jade Street, told the Laudium Sun, “Crime is very high on our street. We as residents are not safe anymore. Urgent police patrols are needed immediately.”