GEORGE BUSINESS NEWS - Several business owners, members of the public, neighbourhood watches and other interested parties gathered at the George Herald offices in Ring Road on Tuesday morning, 25 February, to discuss the escalating issue of violence and crime in the CBD.
Some businesses in the area have been broken into twice within the last two weeks and business owners in the area estimate that there are 10 to 15 business break-ins every month.
Everyone at the meeting agreed that crime is increasing and the police simply cannot be everywhere.
Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, confirmed an increase of up to 80% of reported business break-ins in the CBD.
"This can be attributed to a spike in shoplifting. In all these shoplifting cases, arrests were made in conjunction with security companies," he said.
Various ideas to improve safety and security for businesses, such as a WhatsApp group for business owners, early morning street patrols and permanent security guards, were discussed at the meeting.
"Business break-ins in George are increasing drastically and it doesn't matter what security measures we take, if they want to get in, they will," said a businessman, Anton Meyer. "We need to start being proactive. Our last option was to come to the media about these issues, but here we are. We no longer know who to send letters to and ask for assistance."
The existing WhatsApp Group for business owners, "CPF Sector 1 CBD Watch", which has been successfully used to fight crime, has 252 members. Businesses owners and interested parties are asked to join this group that consists of a network of business owners, law enforcement members, traffic officers, members of the fire department and the police.
According to Rupert Pretorius, a community police forum (CPF) committee member who attended the meeting, people need to adjust their attitudes towards crime.
"Crime affects us all. The community will have to stand together and get involved with existing organisations such as neighbourhood watches and CPFs in their area, even if it's just by joining a WhatsApp group. We also urge the community to attend monthly safety meetings.
"It's important that we get the business owners' input to be effective in fighting crime. Together, we can make a difference," Pretorius said.
Anyone wishing to join the CPF Sector 1 CBD group or require more information about the CPF or various meetings can contact Barry Botha on 084 927 3263 or sector1@cpfgeorge.org or Rupert Pretorius on 082 822 1870.
According to Pojie, access to business premises is usually gained through roofs and windows, or by breaking in at back doors.
"Part of sector commanders have been tasked to liaise closely with businesses to strategise in initiatives to curb these crimes. We share the concerns of the business sector with regards to the recent spike in property crimes in the CBD and industrial area as per Sector 1 of the George policing precinct.
"As such we have already sensitised our operational members to increase visibility in the area and to conduct more frequent stop and search operations in the affected blocks," he said.
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