Theft down, arrests up
JON HOUZET
PROPERTY crime, most notably theft, showed a marked decrease in February compared to the same period last year, the latest Port Alfred crime statistics have revealed.
In the same period there was a big increase in arrests, mostly for B crimes like drunk and disorderly behaviour.
Station Commander Colonel Lizette Zeelie said there had also been a spike in arrests for March, with a number of housebreaking cases cracked by police.
The statistics were revealed at the latest Community Policing Forum (CPF) meeting at the Port Alfred police station last Thursday. Exact figures may not be revealed as they have not been signed off by the Minister of Police.
As percentages may give a false impression on the number of crimes, police have also asked they not be used.
The value of property stolen in February amounted to R246 611.
There has been a shift in the times burglars and thieves strike, now preferring daylight hours when people are at work, or Sunday mornings when they are at church. The most problematic times are between 9am and 6pm.
Property crimes were equally spread over the West and East banks in February, while West Beach Road was the most problematic street. There were also a number of cases in the CBD/flats area.
The favourite choices of burglars and thieves remain cellphones, laptops, cameras, electronic equipment, electrical appliances, cash and clothing.
"A lot of it is opportunity crime - people leave stuff lying around," said Zeelie.
Contact crime, like rape and assault, was unchanged compared to the same period last year.
Zeelie said Port Alred had reached all its crime targets for the financial year, April 2011 to March 2012, and was now ranked sixth in the province, up from ninth place.
"We've had problems with Anti-Crime (a civilian crime-fighting group) and had cases thrown out because of their actions - assaults and seizures," said Zeelie. "They don't have search and seizure powers.
"There's a lot of misperception as to what powers they have."
But she said Anti-Crime's intentions were good and police had a good working relationship with Anti-Crime boss Simon Thembani, "who now calls to give us information".
"We rather use them as informants," she said.
MultiSecurity owner Mike Millard said he had also had problems with Anti-Crime.
"I get phone calls saying to me, 'Are you going to sort this out or must I pay Anti-Crime?'" he said.
CPF chairman Gunther Johannsen public involvement in the CPF remained a challenge, and people tended to forget about the work of the Rapid Rural Response network, a collaboration between police, private security companies, the traffic and fire departments, NSRI, 43 Air School and towing services.
Johannsen proposed a public meeting be held to inform residents.
Captain Jacques Barkhuizen said a member of the public needed to step forward to head sector policing in the West bank, as the former chairman was leaving town. 
"The community needs to know there is a platform here once a month to be informed what is going on rather than just having a perception. They need to come and see how we can all work together to combat crime," said Zeelie.
The next CPF meeting will be held at the police station on April 19.