NCJ Number
185864
Journal
Siyaya! Issue: 5 Dated: Winter 1999 Pages: 18-25
Editor(s)
Janine Rauch
Date Published
1999
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Neighborhood watches are trying to hold the line against crime in gang-infested Mitchells Plain, South Africa, where one police station and a satellite station have the task of serving about 1.2 million people.
Abstract
The police station in Mitchells Plain has 323 police officers, but only 105 are involved in active policing. The remaining police officers are assigned to desk duties, including 30 police officers who work at the magistrate's court. The Crime Prevention Unit is the mobile unit of the police station and is involved in active crime prevention. Specialized units, however, are not available to solve the everyday crimes of domestic violence, rape, and theft that plague Mitchells Plain. The community also has a gang problem, and neighborhood watch groups have been formed in response to gangs, drugs, and violence. These groups focus on protecting lives and property and their main aim is to be visible. When a crime has occurred, group members try to help the victims and catch the criminals. While neighborhood watch members lack resources and skills, their presence sends a message that gangs will not be tolerated. 5 photographs