Brooklyn residents slam police at heated Imbizo

Tensions flared at the Brooklyn Imbizo on Thursday, September 4, as frustrated residents accused police of failing to act decisively against rising crime in the community and of neglecting coordination between the two local policing precincts.

The meeting, held at Ysterplaat Primary School hall, drew a smaller-than-expected turnout but saw strong criticism directed at law enforcement. Ward 55 councillor Fabian Ah-Sing and the City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, later joined the session.

Residents acknowledged that both Maitland and Milnerton police stations suffer from limited resources, but insisted officers were not listening to their concerns.

They argued that they know where the crime hotspots are, but that their warnings are being ignored.

Statistics for the Maitland and Brooklyn areas show robberies, theft out of motor vehicles, and domestic abuse remain top priorities. Maitland station commander Lieutenant Colonel Sizwe Mpindwa said three people had recently been arrested for business robberies and investigations were ongoing.

He also warned of rising cases of remote jamming at shopping centres and highlighted cellphone theft hotspots in Fenwick, Justin, and Van Riebeeck streets.

“We find that people are still walking around with their cellphones and headphones visible. Please stop," he said.

Residents, however, argued that police were focusing on select crimes while overlooking issues such as public drinking, illegal dumping, prostitution, and violence linked to shebeens. 

Long-time resident Fay Vogel said the decline in safety and cleanliness was dragging down property values and leading to further urban decay.

The community has begun reviving its Neighbourhood Watch programme in response.

Concerns were also raised about traffic lawlessness along Koeberg Road, with residents warning that the lack of scholar transport facilities was “an accident waiting to happen.” 

Calls were made for joint operations between police, law enforcement, and traffic officers to restore order.

Maitland police currently cover the area from Justin Street towards Maitland, while Milnerton police oversee the rest of Brooklyn, Milnerton, and Dunoon. Residents questioned why the two stations were not working more closely together.

“Wouldn’t it lighten the crime burden?” one resident asked.

Mr Ah-Sing said five dedicated law enforcement officers would be deployed in Ward 55 from the end of September to focus on crime and bylaw enforcement. 

Mr Smith added that a new traffic bylaw would soon be introduced, allowing for private vehicles and taxis to be impounded for a wide range of violations.

“We are going to have more resources than we’ve had before, and we aim to fix one thing at a time and get the ward back to what it was before. However, residents need to help and play their part,” said Mr Smith.

Milnerton Vispol commander Colonel Muneeb Afrika said his team had already conducted community walkabouts and was willing to strengthen cooperation with Maitland police and other agencies. 

“We have shared crime-fighting strategies with our team, and we are happy to work with Maitland police going forward,” he said.

The meeting was organised by the Maitland Community Police Forum (CPF), its chairman Johan van Rensburg, thanked the public for attending the meeting and suggested that next time he hopes to see a packed venue.

Deputy chairwoman for Maitland CPF Leigh Anderson highlighted the various projects held by the forum since its inception in December last year. At least 46 projects have been held thus far with more planned for September through December.

To contact the Maitland police station commander directly, call 082 379 5588, and to reach the Milnerton police vispol commander, call 082 302 9574.