The
Service Evaluation Sometimes, referred to as SDIP, is a project whereby victims of crime are
selected on a random basis and are asked to comment on the level
of service provided by the SAPS. Once more information is
made available it will be posted here.
July 2011 At the July 2011 public meeting Andy Tribe reported the results of the
random survey of victims of common crimes to determine if these victims
had experienced a positive service from the Westville SAPF. Whilst the
names of the respondents are not identified the feedback is used to
evaluate the service in relation to the resources available. In most cases
the service was within the parameters set down and with one exception the
timing of the response by the investigating was adequate. In one instance
the response was the next morning after an incident was reported the
afternoon of the previous day. Matters of this nature are not common
however they are brought to the attention of the station commander for
evaluation. The taking of finger prints
has for some time been an area for improvement and this month there was a
delay of more than two days. The target is for the same or following day.
It is difficult to expect a victim to leave evidence alone if it means
compromising immediate security. I believe, we in Westville, are fortunate
to have a dedicated team t5hat has been managed by successive commanders
who are passionate about their work. Andy Tribe
Tuesday 21st October 2010 Rusty damp reported that in general those victims who had been
contacted were satisfied with the response and efficiency of the Westville
SAPS. Colonel Ellen Emmanuel advised that after approaches to the
Provincial SAPS Administration we now have a fingerprinting division based
in Pinetown. Rusty mentioned that due to delays in the arrival of the
fingerprinting team, victims have been cleaning up to reinstate security
e.g. replacing broken windows etc. obviously to avoid exposure to further
risk. It is requested that items such as glasses and any assets that
have been moved by the suspects should preferably not be touched to enable
fingerprints to be taken. Feedback from the floor indicated that it is
easy to establish if a security system was on or off at the time of a
break-in and if off the insurance companies can reject a claim. This was
ratified by others from the floor.
Wednesday 14th. October 2009
I successfully phoned 10 victims of crime at random, (9 House break-ins
and 1 carjacking), during the above period all of whom live in various areas of Westville
Their reaction to the police attention to their crimes was good, in 8 instances the police were on the scene within 30 minutes of their call, one incident was reported directly to the Westville Police station and in one incidence it took an hour for the police to arrive. Lack of transport and excess of crime was blamed for this tardiness.
We are still encountering fingerprint squad problems in attending crime
scenes. The normal 24 hour delay is problematic particularly in wet weather but in some cases no visit was
experienced. the fingerprinting is possibly the most important weapon
against crime detection and it is certainly not being given sufficient attention.
It would appear that there in an "professional" gang of Housebreakers operating in the Westville area, wall safes are being
targeted. These safes are often hidden away in obscure rooms and yet they are being found without any other rooms in the house being disturbed or other property taken. It is suspected by the owners that Domestic servants are tipping off the
gang, even the means of entry are similar. The safes are being forced open and mainly
jewelry taken, but a gun has been stolen from one of these safes recently. The police might well look into the Domestic theory more carefully.
Service Delivery
