Are Laudium/Erasmia residents paying the high price of the ongoing poor service delivery in the area, including poor performance by the local police, due to electing the ‘wrong people’ to represent them on the various security and political platforms?
This is the questions many residents are asking as the area is slowly but surely decaying with the effects of crime and grime. While the local police and CPF claim that they are not allowed to reveal to the community, weekly crime stats with detailed relevant information that could assist the community in taking precautions, the Laudium Sun receives information from time to time about such crime, from concerned residents. In one of the many incidents of crime in the area reported to the Laudium Sun this week, while residents were preparing to celebrate ‘Freedom Day,’ a number of thieves entered a property on Crimson Street, Laudium, this past Sunday morning (April 26) at around 1 am. Despite the close proximity of houses on Crimson Street, thieves managed to enter the property and leave with a quantity of huge items that they stole, including a large gazebo, four mini motorbikes, a number of fishing rods and other items, from the outer building of the house of Razia Mohammed, without being spotted by the police or the CPF patrollers.
Razia told the Laudium Sun, “My family and I were fast asleep when all of a sudden I woke up after hearing unusual noises coming from the outer building. It was around 1am in the morning, so I thought perhaps it was a cat or the wind. As I tried to get back to sleep, I heard noises again, so I then got up to check what was going on. Upon inspection, I was shocked to discover that the door of our outer building had been forced open. It was clear that there had been intruders who had gained entry by breaking the door lock and entering unlawfully into the place. Without even thinking that the thieves could still be inside, I went into the outbuilding and that is when I immediately saw that a number of fishing rods, four children’s motorbikes, a large gazebo and other small items had been stolen from the outer building. I believe that the thieves left after I switched on the lights at around 1am. The entire incident appeared to have been carried out quickly and I believe by at least three thieves, judging by the number and sizes of the items stolen. This is not the first time such an incident has taken place at our property. There have been similar break-ins before, which makes me believe that the same individuals may be involved again. I believe that the thieves likely entered the yard by jumping over either the boundary wall from a neighbouring property or possibly through the front gate area. The level of crime in this area has become extremely concerning. There is very little visible police presence and patrol vehicles are rarely seen in our street, especially at night. Criminals appear to take advantage of the situation, knowing that there is limited response or deterrence from the police and the local CPF. This is not the kind of environment that any community should be forced to live in. People work hard for their belongings, only to have these stolen without consequences for the thieves. It is deeply frustrating and emotionally draining for families who repeatedly fall victim to such incidents of crime. There needs to be stronger action taken to address the rising crime levels in the area. Criminals must be held accountable for their actions and proper policing measures must be put in place to ensure that these incidents are prevented in future. The situation cannot be allowed to continue any further, as the safety of residents is being seriously compromised.”
Ahmed Shiek of Crimson Street, told the Laudium Sun, “The high level of crime in our area has become very alarming, with a number of illegal activities taking place regularly, which is completely unacceptable. The situation has reached a point where, as residents, we no longer feel safe in own environment, as there is a constant sense of worry about who could be the next victim. We have just celebrated ‘Freedom Day,’ but where is our freedom? It is the criminals who have freedom to attack innocent residents and steal from their properties without being caught. Night time has become particularly stressful, as peaceful sleep is no longer possible due to the fear of criminal activity. The rise in crime has affected daily life in many ways, making even simple routines feel unsafe. Moving around freely has also become difficult, as there is always concern that criminals or thugs may attack or target innocent people without warning. Laudium is fast slipping into a crime and grime area, with no law and order. The community requires visible and effective policing that can restore confidence among residents. At present, there is a feeling that the response from the police, the CPF and the politicians is silene and that they have no clue or will on how to deal with the crime situation in a meaningful way.”
Roshini Pillay, yet another concerned resdeint of Crimson Street, told the Laudium Sun, “Police presence in the area is mostly limited to occasional patrols during the daytime, which does not address the times when criminal activity is most likely to occur, which is during the night. The absence of regular night patrols creates an opportunity for offenders to operate without fear of being caught. What is needed is a stronger and more focused approach, especially during the night hours when the risk is higher. Residents want to feel a sense of trust and safety when it comes to law enforcement, but this can only be achieved through consistent and visible action. At the moment, that trust is weak due to the ongoing situation and lack of effective intervention.”