WARNING: This is Version 1 of my old archive, so Photos will NOT work and many links will NOT work. But you can find articles by searching on the Titles. There is a lot of information in this archive. Use the SEARCH BAR at the top right. Prior to December 2012; I was a pro-Christian type of Conservative. I was unaware of the mass of Jewish lies in history, especially the lies regarding WW2 and Hitler. So in here you will find pro-Jewish and pro-Israel material. I was definitely WRONG about the Boeremag and Janusz Walus. They were for real.
Original Post Date: 2008-11-11 Time: 09:00:10 Posted By: Jan
By Thandi Skade
With 15km of riverside trail, the Braamfontein Spruit – situated between Petervale and Northcliff, Johannesburg – is a popular mountain biking trail for northern suburbs residents and mountain bike enthusiasts.
But with an average of around 1 000 visitors per weekend to “the Spruit”, it has also become a breeding ground for criminal activity.
With this in mind, Randburg SAPS sector managers Inspector Hein van Heerden and Inspector James Swann, together with their team of dedicated reservists, have mobilised their mountain bike unit for weekly patrols around the spruit in a bid to combat the recent spate of mountain bikers being attacked and robbed of their bikes and equipment while cycling.
Since the Randburg Police Mountain Bike Patrol Unit began patrols around the spruit in August, van Heerden said police have had numerous successes in cleaning up the area.
On October 25, a total of 13 people were arrested in a dawn patrol of the land adjacent to Main Road, Sloan Street and the N1 and later on a patrol on the Spruit from 12th Avenue to Jan Smuts Avenue.
“Most of the arrested people were illegal immigrants. One guy we arrested was a suspect in an attempted armed robbery of a mountain biker we had encountered earlier who described his assailants to us,” van Heerden said.
The key to the success of the initiative is the element of surprise, Van Heerden explained.
Because the patrol team look like ordinary bikers and they are able to navigate the bushy terrain with ease, something vehicle patrols are unable to do, they often pounce on unsuspecting criminals.
Van Heerden said he was delighted with the “good start and good results” achieved thus far, but he urged bikers who utilise the trail to inform the police of any assault, attempted robbery and robbery incidents that occur there.
“It is very important for mountain bikers, or any users of the Braamfontein Spruit, who are assaulted or robbed to make a statement at either the Randburg or Sandton police stations.
“Even if it is only an attempted assault or robbery. This helps us build up a database from which to make more specific links and successful arrests,” he said.
The unit is a pilot project supported by local businesses – who have donated discounted bikes, accessories and clothes and residents.
If you wish to report any incidents or have any useful information that could lead to improved safety on the Braamfontein Spruit and other public areas, contact van Heerden or Swann on 011 449 9000 or e-mail [email protected]