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CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
‘Starting to become a thing': Saskatoon community uses social media to tackle crime
With crime rates increasing since the pandemic in Saskatoon, one community is being vigilant and posting incidents on social media to try to tackle the issue. Police say using technology in this way is a good start, but more needs to be done to help the police. Video of doorbell cam footage capturing crime is commonly seen on the Stonebridge Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page, which has over 12,000 followers. Some followers often post incidents of crime in their community. Brady Taylor started the page in 2012 after moving to the neighbourhood and dealing with break-ins to his work vehicle, which had expensive equipment inside. 'I didn't really know my neighbours that well, and I knew they had cameras. Facebook groups were just starting to become a thing, and I said, well, maybe this is a way I can connect with my neighbours that I don't really know, and maybe it might gain traction,' Taylor told CTV News. With crime increasing since the pandemic and numbers now levelling off, according to Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) statistics, the concept of connecting with neighbours is valuable. 'Ensuring that your place is properly secured is vital, and working together with your neighbours and family to ensure that your property is secure,' SPS inspector Tony Landry said. The Stonebridge neighbourhood watch page features numerous posts about crime, including porch piracy, bike thefts, vehicle break-ins, and suspicious individuals. But does this mean property crime is higher in Stonebridge? 'The neighbourhood is growing, yes, based on an increase in residential builds. But the crime itself is decreasing,' Landry said. However, the inspector, who has been with SPS for over 20 years, says this might not be the entire picture. 'We've only been receiving about 50 per cent of property crime reporting, so we don't have all the data.' While it's positive that people are posting on social media, those incidents aren't recorded in SPS statistics unless residents report the crime to the police. Landry confirms that Stonebridge residents report two per cent less than the average for other neighbourhoods. 'They want safety and security for everyone in the neighbourhood. For them to post social media videos, which are very informative to the neighbourhood, it's essential they also report the incident.'Reporting incidents is vital so police resources can be allocated appropriately to the neighbourhoods that need them. Taylor says he has seen many success stories from the posts on the page. 'Oh, yes, absolutely, even with lost items or items that were discarded and stuff like that,' Taylor said. According to the police, they can also use photos and videos to help with investigations. Overall, crime in Stonebridge accounts for two per cent of total property crime in the city.
The Herald
17-07-2025
- The Herald
Diepkloof residents living in fear after CPF member shot dead in his home
A community patroller in Diepkloof, Soweto, was gunned down in his home on Tuesday morning. Elifas Malusi Rathebe, known as 'Mdululu', was 64 years old and an active Community Policing Forum (CPF) member. He joined the patrolling programme in 2022 as part of the neighbourhood watch before becoming a full-time CPF member in 2023. According to Zukile Memela, secretary of sector one and a CPF member at Diepkloof police station, the incident occurred at about 1am. Rathebe's niece, Kedibone, who lives at the same home in Diepkloof, recounted the terrifying moments leading up to his death. 'It was Tuesday morning around 1am when four men broke down the door while we were sleeping. I was with the kids. They started shooting inside the house and screamed at us to hand over our phones.' Kedibone said. 'My uncle was in the next room. He heard us screaming and came out to help. He asked them what they were doing, and that's when they ran towards him and shot him. One bullet missed but the second one hit him.' She said the family is still traumatised and they could not go back to sleep that night. 'We don't know who these people are or why they killed my uncle, a man who dedicated himself to protecting this community. We are asking anyone who knows something to please help us find the people who murdered him so brutally,' said Kedibone. CPF members say the attack has highlighted growing fears that patrollers are being targeted. Another patroller who asked not to be named fearing for his life said he had been warned recently by a community member to 'watch out, they're coming for us one by one'. Memela said the patrolling system in Diepkloof is crumbling due to neglect from all levels of leadership. 'There are no patrol vehicles from SAPS, no proper uniforms from community safety and no training. Even the CPF's own structures are failing. The community itself doesn't fully appreciate the work done by patrollers, only a few genuinely concerned residents offer us support.' Memela said. He added that security co-ordination is mostly reactive and disjointed. 'In most cases, meetings only happen after a tragedy strikes. Forums are non-existent.' Despite the lack of support, he said patrollers continue to consult with one another to identify where crime is affecting residents. 'The environment we live in has normalised crime. That's why we patrol, even without resources.' As Rathebe's family mourns, they, along with the CPF, hope his death won't be in vain and that it will spark urgent intervention from authorities and the community he died protecting. The case is under investigation and no arrests have been made. TimesLIVE
