Brooklyn residents slam police at heated Imbizo

TENSIONS flared at the Brooklyn Imbizo last week, 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.

- TARA ISAACS

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.