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There were 6575 crimes in Knysna in 2014, the highest in 10 years, up 4.6% since last year and 26.5% higher than it was 5 years ago.
The good news is that the 12 murders are 4 less than the previous year and substantially lower than the 26 in 2012. However, attempted murders shows the reverse as it's at 17 compared to the 8 in 2012. That violence, likely fueled by tik, has worsened is most distinct where robbery with aggravating circumstances has increased 92%. Common assault is up 8%. There were also 2 carjackings, the first in 4 years. Culpable homicide was up from 6 incidents to 14.
There were 1081 burglaries at residential premises which was 147 more than the previous year. Atop of that, aggravated robbery at residential premises doubled from 17 to 35. Aggravated robbery at non-residential premises (businesses) increased from 34 to 50. The latter two crimes show how brazen criminals are becoming, prepared to rob in daylight and when people are there.
There were also 105 more car break-ins.
The biggest success seems to be that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs dropped 33% but considering that drug-related crime went up, that makes no sense. It's also possible that it hasn't been a focus as the Knysna SAPS are allegedly on the verge of throwing out hundreds of driving-under-the-influence cases as the backlog is immense and lab tests a mess.
That sex crimes are remarkedly down will produce a lot of cynicism because it defies common sense that women have been spared a worsening crime climate. Is it possibly that even less are reporting it because it's such a difficult process rarely resulting in prosecution? Are children falling through the cracks too? That should be the greatest worry. It is utterly impossible than in a worsening crime and growing unemployment situation that not only did neglect and ill-treatment of children crimes lessen but that there were only 5 cases!
No mention is made of the bomb scares, service delivery protests and N2 closures - that there were only 9 public violence cases is seemingly unbelievable. Drug dealers are openly operating on our streets and the integrity of the police is seriously questioned by the public.
Statistics are a guide. Paranoia doesn't help but there's sufficient common knowledge of what is happening to us and our neighbours for us to realise that the situation is even worse than what has been detailed. Although there has been positive effects in some areas where neighbourhood watches have been initiated through dutiful volunteers, the uncomfortable fact is that, overall, Knysna is losing the crime war. Hiding behind higher walls, like children pretending the boogeyman lurking under the bed will go away, does not alter the damaged future we're heading towards.
Knysna, both citizens and police, need to do a lot more!
There's an easy-to-view breakdown of crime at View Knysna's 2014 Crime Statistics..
The good news is that the 12 murders are 4 less than the previous year and substantially lower than the 26 in 2012. However, attempted murders shows the reverse as it's at 17 compared to the 8 in 2012. That violence, likely fueled by tik, has worsened is most distinct where robbery with aggravating circumstances has increased 92%. Common assault is up 8%. There were also 2 carjackings, the first in 4 years. Culpable homicide was up from 6 incidents to 14.
There were 1081 burglaries at residential premises which was 147 more than the previous year. Atop of that, aggravated robbery at residential premises doubled from 17 to 35. Aggravated robbery at non-residential premises (businesses) increased from 34 to 50. The latter two crimes show how brazen criminals are becoming, prepared to rob in daylight and when people are there.
There were also 105 more car break-ins.
The biggest success seems to be that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs dropped 33% but considering that drug-related crime went up, that makes no sense. It's also possible that it hasn't been a focus as the Knysna SAPS are allegedly on the verge of throwing out hundreds of driving-under-the-influence cases as the backlog is immense and lab tests a mess.
That sex crimes are remarkedly down will produce a lot of cynicism because it defies common sense that women have been spared a worsening crime climate. Is it possibly that even less are reporting it because it's such a difficult process rarely resulting in prosecution? Are children falling through the cracks too? That should be the greatest worry. It is utterly impossible than in a worsening crime and growing unemployment situation that not only did neglect and ill-treatment of children crimes lessen but that there were only 5 cases!
No mention is made of the bomb scares, service delivery protests and N2 closures - that there were only 9 public violence cases is seemingly unbelievable. Drug dealers are openly operating on our streets and the integrity of the police is seriously questioned by the public.
Statistics are a guide. Paranoia doesn't help but there's sufficient common knowledge of what is happening to us and our neighbours for us to realise that the situation is even worse than what has been detailed. Although there has been positive effects in some areas where neighbourhood watches have been initiated through dutiful volunteers, the uncomfortable fact is that, overall, Knysna is losing the crime war. Hiding behind higher walls, like children pretending the boogeyman lurking under the bed will go away, does not alter the damaged future we're heading towards.
Knysna, both citizens and police, need to do a lot more!
There's an easy-to-view breakdown of crime at View Knysna's 2014 Crime Statistics..
