Crime and more crime… Complaints to the Laudium Sun of the ongoing incidents of crime in the Laudium and Erasmia area continue to pour in each week, with the local police and the CPF, as usual, seemingly not interested or incapable of addressing the concerns of the community.
This follows residents still complaining of the high number of vagrants, nyaopes and suspicious people walking freely on the streets without being quizzed by police as to their place of stay or work or purpose of being in the area, or even confirming their identity.
In one of the recent complaints of crime received by the Laudium Sun for stats purposes, a newly installed gate motor was stolen from a property on Kathmandu Street in Laudium Ext 3, prompting residents living in the area to once more desperately call for more police and CPF patrols in the area.
Homeowner, Prishan Pillay of Kathmandu Street, told the Laudium Sun, “It was a really bad incident for me, as my newly installed gate motor was stolen by greedy thieves. My family and I were sleeping on the Sunday night and did not hear any unusual sounds when the incident happened. Before I went to sleep, the gate motor was still in place and everything seemed fine. After waking up on Monday morning and as I was about to leave my house at around 7am, I was totally surprised to discover that the gate motor had been stolen. It was shocking to see that despite the recently installed gate motor, which was securely installed, these thieves managed to get into my yard, remove the motor and leave, without being noticed. I suspect that this could have been a two-man job, as it would not have been easy for one person to remove the motor so quickly and quietly. It seems likely that two thieves were involved. They may have come from the nearby informal settlement, as such thefts have been linked to those coming from that area. This crime situation is becoming extremely frustrating, as we work so hard to afford our belongings, only for criminals to come and take them away without any consequences. It creates a feeling of anger and helplessness at the same time, as there is no sense of security anymore. There is no peace of mind left in the community and residents are constantly worried about what might happen next. Crime is the area is escalating at an alarming rate and it feels like there is no effective way to stop it or even reduce it. Almost every day there are reports of theft and other criminal activities and it seems as though the situation is only getting worse. The lack of visible policing in the area, especially at night, is a major concern. For almost six years, there has been little to no police patrol presence on the street during night-time hours. The police vans are more at KFC, than patrolling our streets. Occasionally, a patrol vehicle may be seen during the day or in the morning, but at night, when residents feel most vulnerable and in need of protection, police visibility is not seen. This lack of patrols contributes to the rising crime rate, as criminals take advantage of the absence of law enforcement on the streets. It is a deeply concerning situation for Laudium, as our pleas for more police patrols, especially at night, remain ignored. Many residents have lost confidence in the police and are not even reporting incidents of crime in the area. It is time
that the Laudium CPF who are supposed to be representing the community, make a serious intervention concerning the complaints of residents with regards to policing. This ongoing disturbing pattern of the CPF and the police, leaves residents feeling unheard and unprotected and it raises serious questions about the lack of safety and security in the community.”
Noordien Mohammed of Bengal Street, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “The level of criminal activity in our area and throughout Laudium, is extremely concerning, as almost every day there are reports of vehicle theft, property break-ins, and various other illegal activities. The presence of notorious gang members in the community contributes to a climate of fear and the ongoing drug issues worsen the situation. It feels like the neighborhood is facing continuous challenges that disrupt daily lives and make residents feel uneasy and unsafe. Many residents live in constant worry because criminal incidents occur with alarming frequency and there appears to be no clear strategy by the police or the CPF to curb these problems. The impact is not only on our physical belongings, but also on our sense of well-being, as the community struggles to maintain normal routines, while being aware of potential threats. The ongoing criminal behavior and influence of gang activities seem to create an environment where lawlessness prevails and citizens are left with little recourse or protection.”
Lorraine Govender, also of Kathmandu Street, told the Laudium Sun, “Crime including the drug problem seems to be increasing at an alarming rate in the area, fueling further violence and illegal actions, making the community more vulnerable. Families and individuals are affected psychologically, as the constant exposure to crime leads to stress and anxiety. Residents are forced to remain vigilant at all times, taking extra precautions to secure their homes, vehicles, and personal property. It is exhausting to feel like safety cannot be guaranteed even in familiar surroundings. The persistence of these problems gives the impression that the area is experiencing a prolonged period of instability, with criminal activities becoming almost normal. The combination of gang presence, vehicle theft, property crimes, and drug-related issues paints a troubling picture of the neighborhood’s current condition, emphasizing the urgent need for focused action to restore safety and confidence within the community.”