Westville Community Policng Forum

WESTVILLE COMMUNITY POLICING FORUM

Editorial
Information and news articles submitted by regular and other contributors. Letters to the editor may be sent and content may be excluded if considered appropriate to do so.

Your link to this page is http://www.westbeat.org.za/editorial.htm

The Editorial page is a recent addition to the Westville CPF website started on the 19th September 2009. The editorial content offers input from people wishing to promote the safety and security needs of the residents, businesses in and visitors to Westville. A forum within a forum? A place to air your feelings, make suggestions even to give praise where it may be appropriate. It can be used as "Letters to the editor" page. The Westville CPF reserves the right to edit and/or not publish items submitted. The WCPF does not necessarily agree with letters or comments submitted and presents such material to allow people to say what's on their mind.

The articles will be posted in date order. After the first article, editorials for the current month appear, The older items will be achieved. though still accessible,

How can this go un-noticed for so long? - 18 November 2011
So a Johannesburg prosecutor gets taken down by the Hawks for corruption. The long and short of it is that he was taking on average R2000 at time from people to erase their cases. It has been estimated that he has taken over R5 000 000 over two years. Good work hey?

I’m actually disgusted. Not by the prosecutor, by the way. Doing the arithmetic shows that about 2500 people collaborated in his little scheme. Just like Tango, it takes two for corruption. If he offered the deed but an honest person refused, then the corruption did not take place. Oh he is still guilty, but at the moment, 2500 other people are equally guilty. There were at least 2500 opportunities for him to be reported, 2500 other opportunities over two years for him to be arrested.

Instead, what do we have? People are sitting in their TV rooms sticking out their bottom lip, muttering about another corrupt government official, one that was supposed to be working for justice. But for one second did they think about the several thousand people who, were already accused of an offence, took an illegal shortcut and contributed to the crime.

The problem I have is that some of us have the opinion that ‘crime’ is something other people do. Ja, I know I drive over the limit, but unlike millions of other people, I’m a tax paying citizen, so I should be treated differently. Really?

So, when faced with an opportunity to get rid of a nuisance like a ridiculous fine for driving under the influence, I should be grateful for being given such an opportunity. After all, I pay my rates. I don’t deserve to be treated like that. My car is worth more than double your annual salary. I’m special.

If those are your thoughts, good luck. There will be a very juicy investigation into the affairs of those people that paid the bribe.
I ask not what this says about our judiciary, I ask what this says about our public.
Sgt SD Clark
SAPS Westville

Real Crime Real time - 2011-10-12
This story will help illustrate the difference between the paranoid and hysterical emails that people love to circulate and a real life incident that actually occurred. The differences are for the most part that everything I relate here is factual and can be traced to its original source. The story contains no poisonous business cards or clever stickers on rear windows. It is about how real crime is committed and perhaps a lesson on how to avoid it in the future. If you are disappointed for the lack of sensationalism, stop reading now and continue living in your fantasy land.

At about half past ten on a Friday evening, 19 August 2011, a young man Pete (name changed as he is under 18) and his girlfriend Shirley (ibid) were sitting on the roof parking of the Pavilion enjoying the night air and doing what young people do. Another young man, nineteen year old Thabiso Khumalo approached the duo, noting that they were sitting in a remote area, far from any other people or traffic. Khumalo asked Pete for a cigarette. Pete replied that he did not have one, as he did not smoke, but offered Khumalo three Rand to go and buy a “loose” cigarette. Khumalo was either disappointed with the response or had other ideas when he produced a knife from his pocket and threatened to stab Pete and Shirley if they did not hand over their belongings.

Press PAUSE. To all the Kung Fu experts and Cage Fighters out there, take a piece of advice from an old dog that’s done his time in dark alleys in Durban. At close range, a knife is more deadly than any gun. If you don’t believe me, I don’t care. It’s true. The single, man made weapon, that has killed more people in South Africa than any other is the cheap and nasty “Okapi” pocket knife. That night, Pete did the right thing and put his and Shirley’s life above his meager possessions. He was not “chicken” or a coward. He weighed his options and made a decision. His decision was that no matter what, he was going to get Shirley home safe that night.

RESUME. Thabiso Khumalo searched Pete’s pockets and found a Blackberry cell phone and the R250 in his wallet. He discarded Pete’s motorbike keys and took off running towards an exit. Pete decided to follow at a safe distance and keep his eyes on the suspect. This I will explain later was a crucial move.

Mr Alex Mngadi was a bit older than the suspect and victim. He noted the young black male sprinting across the car park. He also noticed a young white male in hot pursuit. It was quite lucky for Pete, as Mr Mngadi happened to be an on-duty, undercover, security guard for Enforce stationed at the Pavilion. Being young he could mix in with the usual gang of idiots and sniff out trouble before a uniformed guard could. As Pete got closer, he shouted, “That guy mugged me!” and Alex joined the chase. He called on his radio for backup and an Enforce vehicle close by made its way over. Having the advantage of not already running half the length of the Pavilion roof, Alex was on top of Khumalo by the time he got to the taxi rank and arrested him. In Khumalo’s possession was found a Blackberry cell phone and some money. Pete was led with the suspect to the Pavilion control room and positively identified his phone by describing photos, names and telephone numbers that were stored on it.

Khumalo was removed to SAPS Westville; chose to remain silent, a case docket was opened and it was assigned to Detective Constable P.G. Dumakude. (Duma to his friends.) The docket was sent straight to court with Khumalo that Monday and D/Cst Dumakude managed to oppose bail on the grounds that the suspect would flee and never be found again. The case was airtight and could be concluded quickly.

Pete, Shirley and Alex Mngadi testified in the trial of Thabiso Khumalo. Remember the crucial link I mentioned earlier? How easy would it have been for Khumalo to have stated that he found the cell phone on the ground and was running to catch a late taxi? Pete’s rock solid testimony that he never lost sight of the suspect until he was arrested and that he positively identified his property and the suspect at a later time was the key to the guilty verdict.

So the night might have ended badly for Pete and Shirley, and we could have had another round of emails circulating like tornadoes about murders and robberies in “broad daylight” (like any other daylight) but with a few facts at hand we actually have a happy ending for some, possibly a few lessons learned and a good result for the Police.
By the by, the Pinetown magistrate was not the least swayed by the youth of the accused or anything else the defense could drag up, on the 28th September, nineteen year old Khumalo was sentenced to EIGHT years imprisonment, none suspended, no option of a fine. He’s already doing his time.

Best regards
Sgt Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Social Crime Prevention

Rights and Wrongs - 17 August 2011
When the Freedom Charter was written well before I was born, the authors included a core set of Human Rights, some if not all are included in Section 35 of our present Constitution. If you think you know your rights, get on to Google and look them up. Some may surprise you. Then, take another step and look up Section 36. This is the Limitation on the Bill of Rights. This is the part that I guarantee most of us don’t know about. Just about every Right listed in the previous chapter, under certain circumstances can be limited. The Death Penalty may have been abolished, but that does not limit me or you to kill another person in self defence or the defence of another innocent human life. I used to have good laughs at suspects I arrested who proclaim to know their Rights and spout off a load of gunk they got off an American TV show. The touchy subject I’m coming to is when I overhear or am told that “they” have more Rights than “us”. I take it that the speaker means that criminals are protected above law abiding people under the Law. I get really angry when I hear this because the person has done nothing except repeat some garbage they have heard from another person and proved their ignorance (read: stupidity) by not even checking the truth. Under the Bill of Rights there is no differentiation between any groups of people in the country as to their Rights. We are all equal under the Law and subject to it. There is a subsection of Section 35 afforded to arrested persons and these Rights I will explain later.
I want to get to the bottom of the notorious statement about “them” and “us”. I truly believe that people repeat things often enough, despite the pure fiction of the comment, so that they believe it and will actually argue the point with no basis in fact. It’s essentially the “victim” mentality. Believe it or not, you actually have the choice whether to be a victim or not. This might not make immediate sense, but indulge me and educate yourself. If my car gets broken into but I do not have anything of value in it to steal, what have I lost? Am I a victim? No, because I choose not to leave valuables around for people to steal. My insurance will cover the door lock or window, that’s what its there for. How many of us have a safe at the back of a clothes cupboard? Was there a rule you had to initial when you bought that house which stated that you had to put it there, or are you just another lemming following the heard? I can tell you right now that if a housebreaker gets into my flat and uses a four pound hammer to get my safe off the wall he will be very disappointed to find it filled with bags of valueless one and two cent pieces. You see that’s the safe I wanted him to find. The safe with my firearm and valuable documents he would take days to locate. My maid doesn’t even know where it is. Why, because I chose not to be a victim. If the housebreaker takes my decoy safe, what have I lost? Nothing, again, my insurance will cover the damaged door or window. So what? Start using your imagination. If it’s too much effort, then in the words of my friend and mentor, Peter Burke, crime can’t be affecting you. Why can I come into your home and find your jewelry in the dresser drawer? Because its too much effort to put it anywhere else? I have a female friend whose jewelry is in a coffee tin at the back of a cupboard behind a pile of cans of beans and stuff. Why does she go to this seemingly insurmountable effort? Because she chooses not to be a victim. She cant cannot be home 100% of the time so she has made the decision that the criminal will walk away empty handed. It’s a mind set. You decide for yourself if its worth it next time you open a case of theft.
Back to the Rights. The only Rights afforded to persons under arrest actually don’t concern the rest of us mainly because you are not under arrest. Every person detained is issued a page out of a book called the SAP14A. It’s a copy of his or her Constitutional Rights. He can sign receipt thereof or choose not to, in which case a witness certifies and signs that the document was in fact read to them and handed over. The prefix of the book has the same rights written in all 11 official languages. If the detainee does not understand any of those, reasonable efforts will be made to source an interpreter.
In no particular order other than which they are printed here is the list. For brevity sake I have not written the full story unless I have deemed it necessary to explain.
1) Right to contact a legal practitioner or have a court appointed one through the Legal Aid Board.
2) Right to challenge the lawfulness of the detention before a court.
3) Right to be detained consummate with human dignity.
4) Right to visits from spouse, next-of-kin, religious councilor and medical practitioner of choice.
5) Right to remain silent.
6) Right not to make a confession.
7) Right to be brought before a court as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than 48 hours after expiry of that day. (Arrested Friday, next court day is Monday.)
8) Right at first court appearance to be explained the reason for continued detention, or to be released. (Bail or Warning)
9) Right to be released from detention if the interests of Justice permit, subject to reasonable conditions.
Please I pray, nay scream form the mountains, where in the above do arrested people have more rights than you? Which one of these rights do you as a normal person not have?
Let me put another small misconception to bed. Bail. An arrested person, after he or she has been formally charged has the right to apply for bail. This does not mean every arrested person automatically gets Bail. There are several steps to be fulfilled before it is granted. One example is that a Detective has to visit the person’s place of residence, interview the occupants of the house and the neighbors to verify to his satisfaction that the arrested person does in fact live there. People with no physical address or none that can be verified do not get Bail. Arrest is not punishment. It is one of a few means of securing a person’s attendance in court. Continued detention in a cell or prison is merely because that person cannot be trusted to re-appear at a future date or they pose a real danger to another person or the community.
The major problem I have is the sewing circle/around the braai syndrome. “Experts” either dream up or repeat nonsense about these topics with virtually no first hand knowledge as to how the system works. What happens next? Someone else with four whiskeys swilling in the belly has to come up with a better story and be the hero of the moment, with others nodding like toy dogs on the dashboard in agreement. Each of them plotting how they will re-tell the story to another group, adding some extra spice and sensationalism. I have overheard many of these and I know you have too. Some, I have actually featured in and when I try and correct the teller of the tale I either get shouted down or there is very embarrassed backtracking and, “Oh, well, that’s the way I heard it.”
The onus is on every one of us to get the negative crap out of our heads. Who are we really harming when we talk rubbish or lecture on subjects we know nothing about? Only each other. For a few minutes of soapbox grandstanding, we are the story telling heroes and people walk away angry, bitter, fearful and worse, mistrusting of my colleagues and I who did nothing to deserve it. The Constable at the Charge Office desk did not write the Law, he has been trained to enforce and uphold it. Just as you would be highly defensive about your profession, mind your tongue before you lambaste his.
Sgt SD Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Social Crime Prevention

Frog model
I was watching TV the other day when I noticed that there are several stories and legends that use frogs as subjects. The few that spring to mind are the Princess and the Frog, and the ones that pertain more to this article are Frog in boiling water and the Scorpion and the Frog.

Boiling Frog

At some stage we must have heard the story that goes like this. A frog is an amphibian, and therefore acclimatises itself to its surroundings, but a sudden change of environment will cause a shock. So, we drop a frog in a pot full of cool water and put the pot on the stove. The temperature will gradually increase and the frog will just sit there and eventually be boiled alive.
If you had to drop a frog into very hot water just like that, he will hop straight out.
What s my point? We as humans don t really behave that much differently. Things gradually change round us and because they are slight we just get used to them and make minor adjustments to our comfort. However before we know it, the water is boiling and we literally can t cope. Let me use crime in this example.
We move into a house in an area, 20 odd years ago and as crime trends change, we just go through the motions of getting an alarm company and putting spikes on our walls, but this does not actually change the environment we are in. The crime level may well be increasing, but we are just coping and getting used to it where we really shouldn't. The problem is we are not noticing that the water is reaching boiling point and we will not be able to survive it. If we had to be dropped in the middle of Afghanistan right now, we would certainly realise the water is really hot and seriously desire to jump out.
So how do we improve this? We need to educate and therefore empower ourselves as to crime trends in our area. Living in our little cocoons we really have not much idea as to what is going on besides what we hear around the braai, that in my opinion is not at all a reliable information source.
Once the crime topic comes up, the next and next story has to be more shocking and detailed, not necessarily true. Lets be honest on that one. We need to sensitise ourselves from a reliable and respectable source. Why in Westville of over 7000 residences, do we have the same 50 people at the Community Policing forum meetings? That means we have an attendance of 0.17% of residents attending and finding out what is going on in Westville. The water is boiling people, it's time you take this seriously, find out what is going on around you and plan your security accordingly.

Scorpion and the Frog:
A scorpion wants to cross a river for whatever reason. He finds a frog and asks if he can get a lift on its back. No way, says
the frog. You re a scorpion, you will sting me and we ll both drown! The scorpion replies, I will never do that, I want to cross the river, not drown. The frog seems to understand the rationale and agrees to give the scorpion a lift. Not being an aquatic animal, half way across the scorpion starts to panic and stings the frog.
The frog starts dying and as they both sink under the water the frog asks, Why did you do that, now we ll both drown! The scorpion answers, You always knew what I was.
The point behind this story, very clearly, is that a scorpion is always a scorpion and will behave like one but the frog acts surprised when it does. How does this apply to us? I love South Africa and will not choose to live anywhere else. I know I live in a violent, criminal society but I don t act surprised when evil strikes.
Crime exists and I need to be aware of it. I need to know that as silken tongued a scorpion might be, it s still a dangerous animal.
If I m aware of what I might be facing I will be better prepared to face it when it occurs. I ve lost count of the number of cases that occur through shear negligence. Handbags left in shopping trolleys get pilfered and the victim has wide eyed shock that a stranger dug in and stole her purse. Laptops are STILL being left on car seats in full view of anyone who cares to look in the window. But there is a mixture of teary eyed victims who cannot believe that in this day and age someone might break into the car and actually steal it. Are we really behaving like frogs that seem to think that as much a real threat might be, try and fool ourselves that it won t happen to me? or are we just plain stupid. Whatever the answer, we need to wake up to the threats around us and behave accordingly. Make the conscious decision that you will not be a victim today and do everything reasonably possible to make that true.
Complacency kills.
It s your lives and property. Take it seriously.
Cst SD Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Social Crime Prevention

Right to Life vs Self Defence - 1-June 2011

Since the Lemming Run of ’08 and ’09 where every white person in the country believed that they had to hand in their lawfully owned firearms under the Amnesty, many households have been left pretty much defenseless against any level of attack. Now, several years on, many people are lamenting their hasty choice and are concerned as to what they are going to do when their family’s lives are at risk. I have very clear memories was just about every person coming into the Police Station telling me verbatim, “YOU guys are taking our guns away.” when, nothing of the sort actually occurred. The Government did call for a general Amnesty for people to voluntarily surrender firearms, hoping and praying some of them might be illegal or unlicensed.

This wasn’t the issue of a grandfather on the Durban South Coast recently who responded to an attack on his family. He shot one of the crooks who had a knife to one of their throats and a second who attacked him after that. He quite rightly said he did not regret shooting them, and he was justified. This man took the mental step of asserting his right to life and that of his family. I’m not entirely sure what one of the Lemming squad would have done. One of the chief things to recognize, which our grandfather did, is the fight or flight syndrome. When you are threatened, instinct and training will take over and you will either run away or take on the attacker. (Many conflicts have been won by 100 meters.) It is a lengthy issue, but committing to a battle is quite a serious affair. The other party will not be merciful, will not hold back and very likely lacks your moral fiber.

That aside, and I promise not to harp on about Lemmings, many civilians are now left with the dilemma of how to defend themselves. According to many experts (yes, you) despite the prisons and mortuaries being overcrowded, the Police are allegedly ineffective and pretty much cannot be relied on, so you are left to your beloved Security Company and yourself. My opinions of Security Companies will not be debated here so let’s talk about you.

One of the convenient things about firearms is that they can be effectively used at ranges from point blank or up to several kilometers away. Other methods of self-defense have limitations from range, effectiveness, lethality and level of intimidation. This article is not designed to tell you to curl up in a ball and give up. It is to give you some serious tips and legal warnings when it comes to your life and that of others.
Let’s start close range and work outwards.

Using your hands and feet to fight should be a last resort. Even if an intruder is armed with a butter knife you are going to get injured. If you have or desire to gain a level of hand to hand training, do so. It will hold you in good stead and will teach you other useful skills. There is nothing wrong with learning how to plant a good punch if the situation desires.

We can now move on to “instruments” or “tools”. Edged weapons can mean anything from a piece of broken glass to a carving knife. The closest most people get to a knife is slicing cheese and I have endless battles trying to educate individuals about the versatility both in physical and mental trauma you can inflict if you know a little bit about how to use one. A small, sharp knife, in trained hands is devastating as a defensive tool. If need be, I can elaborate further, however there seems to be a bit of a mental block in terms of gruesomeness so I’ll move on.

There has been a proliferation of “shock sticks” of varying sizes and voltages in the market. They do not need a license to possess and are a less than lethal form of defense. It must be emphasized that under the law, they are nonetheless dangerous weapons and if used incorrectly or outside of lawful self-defense can open the user up to criminal and civil suits. The startlingly loud crackle it emits along with the bright blue arc has been known to dissuade everything from criminals to aggressive dogs. Please do not think it is fun to misuse one. You can end up in hot water. If you choose to own one, realize it has a limited battery life, so if you spend weeks scaring intrusive monkeys with it, charge it up regularly so that it is in working order when you really need it. One limitation is that the stick can only really be used at arms-length. You don’t really want your attacker to be that close anyway.

Pepper sprays and their like have been around for a long time. Note, pepper spray and teargas are two different things. You cannot buy teargas. Pepper spray is water borne Capsicum (chili) oil that attacks sensitive places like eyes and nose. It causes severe pain, short breath, temporary blindness and a degree of panic. Because it is oil and water, you need to give the container it a quick vigorous shake before spraying, or else you will just be squirting your assailant with water from the bottom of the can. I will repeat, pepper spray is regarded as a dangerous weapon. If used negligently you can get in to trouble. There are no known long term side effects of using pepper sprays. The afflicted person can be rinsed off with a lot of water and the pain will subside. One advantage of sprays is they have a bit of range, usually a meter or a bit more. Be careful of wind. You don’t want the stuff blowing back in your face.

Paint-ball guns started off as toys for boys but have been promoted to over the counter self-defense tools. Do I really need to elaborate on the severe damage you can cause a person if shot in the face at close range. The caveat here is that you will have to justify the action you took against the threat that was imposed as this weapon falls very closely to the firearm category. If you permanently blind a suspect who happened to be at the bottom of your garden while you are safely inside behind a locked door, a magistrate will take a very dim view of your actions. If a few warning shots does not scare him off, or if he still approaches and you give him some in the lower legs, you might be able to justify a bit more aggressive measures. I am certainly NOT saying you must wait until the man is in your house with his hand around your throat, I am saying the law requires you to behave in a responsible manner. The law of the land sees a suspect’s life/vision in a higher standing than the washing on your line. Paint-ball guns are extremely dangerous weapons, as anyone who has been shot with one can testify. Now, since ammunition is sold in the form of hard, solid, plastic balls, you need to be a bit careful of what you point one at. It may well be that the sight of a thick barrel poking out your window and a loud shout could send the prospective criminal running. In that case, mission achieved. The man is no longer a threat and you may not inflict any further force on him.

In conclusion, get the idea out of your mind that they have more rights than us. We are all equal under the law. You behaving like a hooligan is no excuse or equalizer. Further, people completely misunderstand the law of minimum force. What the Criminal Procedure Act states is that the minimum level of force is to be used to overcome that threat. Note, the “threat” could be stolen washing or it could be your life. Different “minimum” forces apply. Nobody expects you to flick a wet towel at a knife wielding gangster, but if you do and he runs away, you may not then draw your .38 and pump his back full of holes. If the threat is to a human life (and remember, you may have to prove this in court) you may use any means at your disposal to save it.

Choosing your “weapon of choice” is not as easy as it might appear. It’s a tool box. You need the right tool for the job. When you believe you will be at risk may determine your choice. Are you walking your dog, driving or at home? Again, do not be sunk into the half security of having bought it, now forget about it. A half empty, rusty can of pepper spray at the bottom of your handbag is more likely to do you harm than anyone else. If you need advice, seek form the experts. “Learn from the learned.” –Cato.

One thing my late dad told me about any form of self-defense: “If you don’t put him down or scare him off, you are just going to make him cross.” If you choose to fight back, you have to commit.

Final reminder, your actions will be tested against the reasonable man. That is, would another reasonable person, with your education, social standing and intelligence have behaved in the same manner you did. Do NOT plead ignorant of the law. You will be found reckless and negligent.
Think about it.

It’s your life, take it seriously.

Cst Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Social Crime Prevention

SENIOR CITIZENS - In the light of recent crimes against elderly in the Highway area, we at Westville would like to take an affirmative step.

What we desire is to build up a database of Senior Citizens living in Westville so that we can visit them periodically and attend to any needs or concerns that may be crime or Policing related.
Captain Rob Ponsie of Westville SAPS has taken it upon himself to conduct the visits and liaison in this regard

Please could you print a short article appealing to Senior Citizens living in the Westville area to either telephone me on 031-2677370 / 51 or email me at grendel35@gmail.com with their name, address and telephone number. Please be assured that all personal information will be kept in extreme confidence and will be used for the betterment of the Policing service to the community only.

Best regards

Cst Stephen Clark
SAPS Westville
Communications
Social Crime Prevention

The following article was printed verbatim in this month's SERVAMUS Police magazine. It was in response to an article on criminals and gratuitous violence. 12 May 2011
Dear Editor

I read, with interest, the article by Inge Papp in the March 2011 Servamus about gratuitous violence. There are many truths in what was written, however, I wish to add my input to the table.

All crime, in my opinion, derives from one thing. Disrespect. If I do not respect your property or your person, I have no reason not to commit a crime against you. I truly believe that we can put a portion of the ultra-violent crime to pure, simplistic Evil. Here, I am not expounding a spiritual or religious sense, but the presence or existence of inhuman cruelty, disregard and disrespect for any life. (even the life of himself, the offender, if we can take examples of criminals fighting to the death or drawing weapons when already covered by Police.)

From the community’s point of view, the public do not always see nor are interested in the actual motivation behind the violence. They make up their own minds about how they perceive the crime. There is a real perception amongst the community especially victims of crime that violent criminals do not care whether the victim is in pain or even dies, as the infliction of the injury does not have a causal link to the value of the reward. I agree with that. Very often, the infliction of pain does not gain any more compliance or reward for the criminal than the mere threat would have. Here I cite an example that occurred last week in Pinetown and was reported by the Highway Mail newspaper 16 March 2011. An elderly woman was beaten and chocked in her car at a shopping center, for meager reward of a cell phone. The suspect was young and fit. It was completely (in a rational mind) pointless to be violent to this old lady. The suspect did not score any more because he left her cut and bruised. He assaulted the woman because he had no regard for her as a human.

This behavior may be related to the reasons cited of drug abuse or growing up with violence, but I disagree with wealth or class being consistently relevant. There are many cases where extremely violent and gruesome cases of child molestation, rape and murder occur within the same class as victim and offender. I cannot explain why there is the extent to which a criminal afflicts violence on a small child within the same social class or structure. There could be the expanded view of a bully. He inflicts pain because he can, not because he is immediately getting anything out of it.

The example quoted of the farm attacks begs deeper investigation. In the eyes of the media and a section of the community, violent crime between races can take on a whole image of its own. In the view of, and I need to elaborate, the community and very often media, a black male suspect breaking into a house and beating an elderly white person to death and then stealing property is labeled as “crime”. A white suspect assaulting a black victim in a car park is immediately labeled “race hate” crime. A crime such as a farm murder may be a race crime, but very infrequently is it labeled as such in media. This, all prejudices aside, needs to be examined. I further disagree that violent crime is a misguided attempt to redress the past. Each example needs to be examined in depth down to the personal history of suspect and victim to see if this has any influence whatsoever.

The perception quoted that black people assault and kill whites because “they hate them” is in my opinion a poor excuse for the group who use it. I say again, there is an enormous percent of extreme violence that occurs between people of the same race, class and wealth. Should the behavior of, for example, a white person be judged differently because he may be perceived to be wealthy or of a higher class? I do not believe so.

I have been involved in cases where the suspect has expressed his intent to do excessively violent acts or to murder the victim but have been prevented by one or other reason. The survivors have told me that there was almost a sense of pleasure the criminal got out of terrorizing an already subdued or tied up victim. What would be that motivation behind that? Could his words simply be a natural extension of his committed behavior? He has gone thus far; another step or more is just next in the sequence of events. As he gets bolder after several successful crimes, could this path become easier and the threats become actions as due course when the natural safety catch of threat of repercussions slips off? I don’t know. Maybe the suspect wishes the affliction of the crime to linger in the form of trauma long after the event. What satisfaction he is getting by that I am not sure. The only answer that springs to mind is again is the inhuman evil cruelty. Complete disrespect for another human being.

On the thought of repercussions, a criminal does know he faces the threat of arrest or resistance from the victim. Where then does a he draw the line between robbing, stabbing then robbing and brutal murder? Does the ultra-violent criminal have a set score card planned? If certain circumstances pop up then I behave like that, etc.

It would appear that the suspect or examiner can pull out whichever motivation is convenient at the time.

Thank you again for a topical and thought provoking article. I stand corrected if some of my views are challenged or patently wrong.

Best regards

Cst S.D. Clark

SAPS Westville

Ten things that have killed good policemen: 5 May 2011

1. Attitude. Keep your mind on your job. Leave home problems at home. Do not walk into situations thinking about everything else.

2. Tombstone Courage. Nobody doubts your bravery. Rather call for back up if the situation looks bad.

3. Not enough rest. Get enough sleep. The life and death decision you make could be in the first minute of your shift or the last. You need to be awake, alert and your brain must be clear of cobwebs.

4. Bad positioning. There is no such thing as routine. Park your vehicle tactically every time you stop. Stand aside of a door every time you knock. Do not walk into a room without looking around and checking the corners.

5. Danger signs. You have the experience. Use it to allow yourself to be instinctively warned about a threat.

6. Suspect’s hands. His face is not going to kill you. What’s in his hands might. What is he reaching for? Can you see both his hands? Why is he hiding one?

7. Relaxing too soon. Stay alert. You do not know how many accomplices are around. Use the “plus 1” method. There could always be another suspect drawing a bead on you.

8. Ineffective use of handcuffs. No matter the offence. Use them every time and use them properly. Only the criminal knows what he is actually wanted for. There is no rule that says a wanted rapist doesn’t get caught shoplifting.

9. Poor search technique. Use a method that covers the whole suspect every time. Don’t just search pockets, remember to also check crotch, inside waist band, inside seams and shoes.

10. Dirty weapon. When it breaks down in a fight because you have neglected it that, is too late. Service your weapon, clean and oil regularly. Check how old your ammunition is. Request repairs or replacements if necessary.

IT’S YOUR LIFE, TAKE IT SERIOUSLY
Cst SD Clark
SAPS Westville

Are Criminals targeting senior citizens? 4 May 2011
There has been an ugly trend of late. Criminals are specifically targeting elderly people and are being rough about it. What sort of individual needs to be violent to a 70 year old man when stealing his DVD player. Animals don’t do that, so we won’t call them animals. What I will label the criminals involved as, is “creature”. Creatures include the lower life forms, mosquitoes, ticks, scorpions, flys, jellyfish, bacteria, viruses, etc, etc. To illustrate this article I will refer to incidents of their era.

One thing every item on my list above has in common is that they do not have a backbone. No spine. Cowardly vermin who carry poison or disease to anything they touch. These creatures do not distinguish a soft target from any other. They do not respect age, knowledge or wisdom. They have no regard for anything other than their own self. (That’s giving them something, as I do not believe they are actually self-aware.) Their actions follow a carnal, primitive, savage, heartless precept. They are, in a word, ruthless.

We need to take specific, targeted, affirmative steps to combat this criminal problem. It will mean making a severe mental shift, but the attitude and state of mind will do a number of positive things for our battle. We need to begin to see things around us in a serious light. Start by being supremely suspicious. Report your suspicions to the Police and to your Security Companies. Have the mental picture of that person or vehicle, you failed to report as suspicious, committing an atrocity. During wartime Britain, road signs were taken down and people, even locals were treated with extreme suspicion, if not reported to the Home Guard, if they happened to ask directions to somewhere.

Take the initiative to make that call to check out something that doesn’t fit in. Set aside your fears and turn them into anger against the Creatures who want to hurt you. When Nazi Germany swept across Europe, what would have been achieved if individuals in the free world had the attitude of, ‘Ooh, that’s a bit of a big problem for me alone, or that’s not my problem, or they’re not on my door-step. Yet. Of course they didn’t. Each soldier that got called up went willingly to do his bit. That soldier on his own could not combat the Axis masses, but he made up a Platoon that formed a Company, which in turn was one of a Battalion and Brigade and ultimately Army. Even those who were unfit to fight still became cooks and mechanics. (Have you ever heard the saying, an Army marches on its stomach?) If you make that small first shift in your mindset of “doing your bit” what greatness can it become?

Spread the message. Start caring what happens around you, not just next door. Tell your friends and family exactly what you are doing and encourage them to do the same. Actually have the gall to challenge people who have the ‘It’s not my problem’ attitude. It is our problem. Our collective problem. Find out facts about crime in your area by actually attending Community Policing Forum meetings. Don’t just click “forward” to any piece of junk that comes across your Inbox.

People in our communities are being tortured and killed for as little as a few hundred Rand value. If this isn’t a War worth getting involved in and fighting, what is? Are we just going to roll over and wet ourselves like frightened puppies, or what? Lock ourselves behind our gates and rolls of razor wire hoping, like a lightning strike, that crime is inevitable and I just hope it doesn’t hit me?

If this is how we are going to think, I’ll spend my own money printing “VICTIM IN WAITING” t-shirts. You can collect one at my office.

It’s about turning fear and paranoia into empowerment and support. During WWII, the Red Cross and other organizations did and still do amazing work with troops. They supply chocolate, postcards and pencils, giving the fighting men a little bit of home comfort. Here’s an idea. Policemen in your suburb, who to a large degree do not live in your suburb, spend 12 hours a day protecting you and fighting Creatures. You will be surprised what a kind word of encouragement will do when you meet one or pass them in the Mall or on the street. Good Heavens, what would the repercussions be if you had to invite them in for coffee? If you are in the habit of waking up at 3am, you can be certain a patrol van will be prowling around in the shadows somewhere near. Call the Charge Office and say you need “Police Assistance”. When the guys show up, tell them you need help “destroying” a packet of biscuits. Can you even imagine the change in attitude you will see in the Police if that happened each night shift. On top of that, what will the neighbors say when you tell them why the “cop van” was in your driveway last night. Oh, so you didn’t get “robbed” you called them round for tea! What on earth made you think of that? Trust me, your address will be known across the station within hours. You won’t be plagued by hungry Constables, but they will remember your address when you need help. Step out of your box. Take initiative and help fight the good fight. We, the Police are also part of your community. We are also personally evaluated when crime occurs.

The way to eradicate vermin is to root out the nests and kill them one by one. I don’t expect you to book out an assault rifle and penetrate criminals’ houses. Leave that to the experts. But what you can do is help get rid of individuals one at a time. Did you know that sunflower farmers can lose up to 30% of a crop to pigeons? No wonder they invite shooters to spend their winter days plucking the birds from the sky. It’s a symbiosis. The farmer benefits by getting a better crop, the shooters have fun, the gun shop sells lots of shotgun shells and the consumer benefits by the economics of a larger yield. The parasite (pigeon) loses because two others have made a conscious decision to better the collective. The farmer has decided he will not tolerate the pigeons destroying his sunflowers. The shooters will do anything to have a good day out in the countryside. They meet and format a plan to benefit both.

We are all working towards a common goal. You want to be safe and I want to work in a safe area. You want your kids to grow up without fear as much as I want mine to. If our community begins working as a unit and not as “you” and “us” we will get the better of crime. Once we start looking out for one another and actually giving a damn what happens on our streets, the atrocious crimes against the most defenseless of us, our senior citizens will never happen.

It’s your life, take it seriously.

Cst SD Clark
SAPS Westville

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