Despite street gates being installed all over Laudium and Erasmia by residents, to deter crime in their areas, the criminal element still persists, with crimes continuing unabated in these areas.
Not only were residents requested to fork out hard earned money for the installation of these gates, but they are also expected to pay a monthly contribution for the guards posted at the gates. Now, many residents are accusing the guards of being unprofessional and allowing ‘anyone’ through the gates, while the guards have responded by saying that they are not legally entitled to stop any person from coming through the gates and either way are not equipped to stop them. This follows yet another crime carried out in a gated street area, reported to the Laudium Sun, for stats purposes. This time a Toyota was stolen on Corundum Street, with the thieves easily driving out of the area without being confronted. The theft which occurred in broad daylight, last Sunday morning (March 16), at around 10am, is believed to have been carried out by two black males, who stole the silver Toyota Yaris, which was parked outside the house of Yaseen Ismael.
Yaseen of Corundum Street, told the Laudium Sun, “I parked my silver Toyota Yaris outside my house as I was planning to go out again. After locking my car I went inside and not long thereafter, I heard a noise but thought it was the gate or someone knocking at the door. Therefore, I didn’t pay much attention to it. When I came outside an hour later to go out with my car, I was shocked to see that my car was not there. At first I was hoping against hope that perhaps I had parked my car near one of the neighbour’s places, as I just could not believe that it had been stolen, more so as we living in a gated area. I could not understand how my car could disappear in just an hour. I even went to check down the street and also looked around the nearby streets, but my car was nowhere to be found and I had to accept that my car had indeed been stolen. It was very upsetting because I bought this car with my hard-earned money, which I had saved up. Within an hour, it was stolen. I asked my neighbours if they had seen anyone suspicious in the area and one of them told me that they saw two black African males standing next to my car, but thought that they were going to wash my car. I believe they are the ones who could have stolen my car. The crime in Laudium is getting out of hand and I want to warn others living in the area not to take this crime situation lightly. As a resident of Laudium, I must say that crime is escalating so quickly, that now we fear for our lives. Today they stole my car,tomorrow they might come for my body parts. This crime must stop and the only way to do so is by introducing a much-needed law where criminals are immediately hanged. I appeal to anyone who has any information about the theft of my car to contact me or the police.”
Toyota Yaris had been stolen from just outside his house and that too, in a gated area (cellphone image).
Corundum Street resident, Sabeeha Carrim, told the Laudium Sun, “I heard about the car theft and it is actually very bad, as crime is sky-high in Laudium. Cars are getting stolen, gate motors are getting stolen, and many other crimes are happening which we do not even know about, despite the street gates. Thankfully, the Laudium Sun at least reports on some of the crimes. The security guards at the gates must be more vigilant about who is entering the gated areas. I believe they should keep records of each car’s registration number that enters the gates. This way, it could perhaps help solve crimes. Otherwise, Laudium will just get worse in terms of crime and will soon be recognized as a crime hub. This must change, as we all want to live in a safe and secure environment.”
Asma Patel, yet another resident of Corundum Street, told the Laudium Sun, “I’m very scared to go outside my house because of the high crime rate in Laudium. I usually walk to school to fetch my children, but nowadays I’m getting scared because of all the crimes taking place, which we read about in the Laudium Sun. The police must wake up and do a better job to make our community safer.”
scared to walk in the street because of all the crime in the area.