Pretoria - Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Arno Lamoer, has called on members of the community to pass on information about drug dealing to Crime Line's 32211 SMS service.
Speaking at the launch of Lead SA's "Drug Watch" initiative in Cape Town, Lamoer indicated that the police were making thousands of arrests in drug-related crimes, but that it only served to highlight the severity of the problem.
"The problem is that we are only seeing it as a policing problem, but it's a bigger societal problem," he said.
"Drug Watch" is a joint-operation between Western Cape law enforcement agencies, the media and communities which aims to target drug-related crime in the province this festive season.
The initiative will report back to the community on the success of the initiative on a continuous basis via a number of media platforms, including 567 Cape Talk, 94.5 Kfm and the Cape Argus newspaper.
Crime Line has welcomed the launch of "Drug Watch", which will utilise the 32211 SMS service during the course of the operation.
Head of Crime Line, Yusuf Abramjee, said that more than 80 percent of tip-offs received by Crime Line were drug related.
"Today we heard shocking stories from law enforcement that graphically illustrates the extent of the problem. Some 8 percent of Western Cape mothers are addicted to Tik. Tik abuse is especially worrisome and the effects it not only has on the user, but the community at large is devastating," said Abramjee.
The Western Cape will serve as a pilot for the "Drug Watch" initiative and plans are in the pipeline to extend it to other provinces in the future.
"The success of 'Drug Watch' is in the hands of the community. You know where the drug dealers are. Break the silence and help your community towards creating a drug-free South Africa. Crime Line is anonymous and your safety is guaranteed when passing on information," said Abramjee.
Members of the public are urged to send detailed information to Crime Line.
Remember to include full addresses and any information that can assist the police in their investigation. Your tip-off can be sent to the 32211 SMS service, submitted online at www.crimeline.co.za or by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111. - SAnews.gov.za
