This allegation comes after two customers were denied the opportunity to view footage from two recent incidents of theft.
In the first instance, a resident alleged that she and her work colleague had their valuables stolen from her car which was parked at the centre. “A few colleagues and I had gone to the centre for lunch and it was only once we had left and separated and I got home and tried to get my laptop bag, that I realised my laptop was missing,” she said.
“I immediately contacted my colleague to check her bag and she said her laptop was missing too, along with her wallet.”
The frustrated resident added that her colleague then contacted the centre management with a request to view the CCTV footage, which the centre allegedly refused. The centre allegedly went on to say they could only view the footage if they had a case number.
A case number was eventually obtained from Sandton Police Station and when another request was made to view the footage, the centre manager allegedly promised to contact her to let her know when she could view it, which the resident claims she did not do.
“I [eventually] went to the centre and insisted on seeing the footage, only [to] have the manager blow me off, saying they don’t keep footage because it gets overwritten within 48hours,” she said. The irate resident called out the centre for their alleged lack of co-operation and the manner in which the matter was handled.
In the second incident, a resident lost his wallet while shopping and said he also encountered difficulties in viewing CCTV footage and was allegedly told that the cameras from the store where he had lost his wallet were not operating on the day due to renovations.
Sheri Neuwerth, on behalf of the centre, confirmed both incidents and clarified the procedure around viewing footage following the reporting of theft. “Incidents should be reported to the security control room as well as the nearby Sandton Police Station, who will [then] open a case number and officially request the CCTV footage for reviewing purposes,” she said.
She explained that it was common practice to require a police request before releasing any CCTV footage and that this footage was kept for a limited time.
Neuwerth concluded that no other incidents had been reported and urged customers to remain vigilant and ensure their valuables are out of site.
Details: www.benmoregardens.co.za
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