The latest quarterly crime statistics once again paint a dreary picture of the ever rising crime rate in our valley.
Just about all aspects of crime and general lawlessness have a firm grip on the valley and its people.
Yes, the failing countrywide economy can be broadly blamed for this. But that should not prevent one from focusing on law-enforcement agencies, who seem to simply turn a blind eye.
Also, each such agency will all too often say that this does not fall under their jurisdiction and thus continue to pass the buck.
Then there is the Drakenstein Farm Watch team that, for almost 10 years, has built an excellent volunteer emergency services unit and has a very good track record of assisting in addressing crime-related incidents in the valley. They have for years been pleading for more powers, such as peace officer status, to allow them to actually make lawful arrests, but this seems to fall on deaf ears.
The Drakenstein Municipality has noted the invaluable contribution the DFW has made. Yet it is still reluctant to collaborate fully with this unit.
And one can only but wonder how well DM actually works together with the police and vice versa to try and make the valley a better place for all?
Until law enforcement entities form well-oiled partnerships, we will continue to see escalations in levels of crime.
