Hout Bay police have come under fire for “tardiness” in keeping the public informed about crime after a spate of criminal incidents in the area.
On Wednesday, January 5, a woman was murdered in her home in the same street, Saddlers Close, where 23-year-old Conrad Griss was murdered in his home in April 2010.
A day later a couple were robbed at their Marlin Crescent home in Hout Bay Heights, where residents have complained of intruders being on their properties late at night.
Hout Bay police did not inform the public of either of the crimes nor appeal for assistance from residents. Police released information only after the Cape Times followed up complaints from residents.
Hout Bay police spokesperson Tanya Lesch said no suspects had been identified in the Marlin Crescent robbery. She would not respond to questions about the January 5 murder, saying it was a matter for provincial authorities. The investigation into Griss’ murder was continuing, she said.
Len Swimmer, chairman of the Residents Association of Hout Bay, said yesterday: “It is totally unacceptable that Hout Bay residents are not given information by police. It puts people’s lives in danger if they don’t know how serious crime is. If the community knows the true state of affairs they can take better precautions.”
He said because of Hout Bay’s beauty many people were under the illusion it was safe.
“The notion of feeling safe is untrue and police are not giving the information to people. I met a lady who was attacked in Milner Avenue last week and R1000, her cellphone and handbag were stolen. There is crime in Imizamo Yetho, in Hangberg, Hout Bay Heights and in the valley. Police must tell us.”
Jeremy Rich, who told the Cape Times about the January 5 murder, said he did not know why Hout Bay police had not made a statement about it.
“A lot of residents are concerned and are wondering why no information has been made public,” he said.
In the wake of last week’s crimes, the police’s provincial media centre on Thursday released information about an armed robbery on Wednesday in Victor’s Kloof Street and a house robbery on Thursday morning in Valley Road.
Provincial police spokesman November Filander, to whom Lesch referred the Cape Times query on the January 5 murder, said: “We do not release reports on all incidents and it also depends on the investigating officer on the case. But when specific questions are asked we will respond.”
Pressed for details, he said he would send the Cape Times a written explanation on Friday.
Hout Bay Community Policing Forum chairman Jim McKenna said he did not know why information about the crimes was not made public.
He was unaware of the Saddler’s Close murder and said there had not been “a big upsurge” in crime but “a couple of incidents”. - Cape Times