Hoffman Square is regarded as the gateway to all areas of Mangaung Metro, particularly for those travelling to work or visiting Bloemfontein Central Business District for shopping. Today, the Parkweg Social Crime Prevention Unit kicked off a soft-approach initiative that involves stakeholders such as private security companies, tourism role-players, and retail managers.
This policing initiative, which embraces a holistic approach, forms part of #OperationShanela2 and aims to include the general community by educating them about safety and proactive crime prevention.
A parade of Operation Shanela II role players and stakeholders were held at Hoffman Square, where Lieutenant Colonel Olebogeng Mphirime briefed the team. The members then conducted foot patrols in Central Park, educating the community on how to eliminate predisposing factors (opportunities) and precipitating factors (desires/triggers) that contribute to crime.
The clean-up campaign extended to the dilapidated Old Post Office building, which is often used as a hideout for criminals. During this operation, six (6) vagrants were removed.
Further patrols and searches were conducted in Middestad and Sanlam Plaza, where police discovered cellular phones presumed stolen and sixteen (16) large zip-lock bags containing dried dagga (Swati variety) abandoned at stalls in Floreat Avenue.
#FightingCrime #PartnershipPolicing
