OBSID -Business, residents urged to be vigilant following armed robbery at Ganesh
By Graham Porter
Isn’t it strange, when you think you have an understanding of something and everything changes?
Such is our world today, swiftly changing similar to our public safety situation in Observatory.
In the last short update, there was good news but this time there are some concerning incidents. The well known incident was the Armed Robbery at Café Ganesh at midnight on June the 16th where a skilled, professional armed robbery team hit Café Ganesh just after midnight and in a very short period of time, robbed both the business, and all of the patrons present.
Our safety officers had checked the venue and surrounding streets twice in the 30 minutes preceding the robbery, and saw nothing out of the ordinary at all.
Our advice to businesses in the suburb is based on two simple preventative actions.
First, ensure that there is a silent panic button carried by a manager or staff member connected to an armed response company which can be activated without alerting the attackers.
Second, ensure that you are a member of one of the business forums on their WhatsApp message groups, in order to spread warning or suspect notifications that you may see, this can pro-actively reduce the number of cellphone and bag snatching events in our suburb.
Even as a resident, remain vigilant, and report any suspicious persons or activity immediately to the control room by telephone: 021 447 1066, or by SMS to 072 063 1653.
Alternatively you can raise the alarm with your street, admin, sector or business WhatsApp group, or by radio. If you are not on a group, and would like to join one, please contact the control room, or a Safety Manager in the OBSID office who will pass you on to the correct admin for your area, street or business.
Despite the past, our crime statistics are still in a constant decline, and we are improving our effectiveness with the joint resources such as the Safety team, Metro LEO’s and our Sector SAPS teams improving their results every month.
Remember, if you see something; say something! Please stay safe, (and warm), until next time..