Kensington crime fighters take their streets back

CRIME fighters in Maitland, Kensington and Factreton hit the streets at the weekend to wys skollies that they are not bang to take their communities back. 

Together with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and City of Cape Town law enforcement officers, and led by Ward 56 Councillor Cheslyn Steenberg, they put on a show of force with a visibility walk and stop-and-search operations.

The operation targeted areas that have recently been rocked by shootings and gang activity and Steenberg encouraged mense to be visible in the streets as a deterrent to crime.

He told the Daily Voice: “I know that residents are afraid and scared to be visible and patrol as our communities are living in a difficult time with all the gang violence. 

“But by starting this it is an encouragement to the community to say that we are fed up with the crime.

He added: “Sometimes a shooting doesn’t need to happen for a patrol to occur because that is a deterrent in itself.”

On Friday, members walked in Factreton focusing on gang violent hotspots and ended up in Kensington continuing with proactive policing. 

On Saturday members walked in Maitland focusing on hotspots like Royal Road Informal Settlement and Maitland Town Hall Park.

Steenberg said while no arrests were made, approximately 50 to 60 people were searched.

Of people complaining that innocent mense have been stopped and searched, he explained: “In this day and age you don’t know who is who anymore. 

“Young people are being used as informers for the gangs, but at the same time they are being used by the rivals and that is how the shootings start.”

Meanwhile, Steenberg said shop owners in the area have agreed to close at 10pm, as it reduces the risk of shooting incidents. 

He added: “We need to remember that we are the majority and these gangs are the minority en hulle moet begin in hulle kop kry dat ons is nie bang is vir hulle nie.”