Someone, somewhere, somehow knows something about crime and could either be part of it or its solution.
This is a preamble to a public notice for Domestic Watch meetings conducted by Mad, an organisation which holds crime workshops for domestic employees and homeowners. The organisation’s work is also supported by the police and security companies.
This paper covers crime issues extensively and in one of our articles, Locals furious week ending 6 June, residents of Eastbank exposed soaring crime in their area.
Sadly, state and private security agencies seem incapable of stamping crime out and often have to appeal to residents’ for co-operation through proactive measures such as reporting suspicious elements in their areas.
MAD exposes some of the methods and signs used by criminals in planning their activities, and encourages communities to destroy or report them to the police. They include chalk or paint markings on roads, rocks, sticks, paper, cans and bottles in front of homes. Often residents ignore these yet they could be strategic objects identifying homes to target.
Criminals also phone homes to check if someone is present, or lure residents outside by switching off electricity mains increasing a homeowners’ vulnerability when going out in the dark to check, often leaving a door open.
Mad advises residents to take pictures of and remove these signs or objects, and report any strange or suspicious things and occurrences not associated with the area to the police for investigation.
Facilitator of Mad, Penny Steyn said they were keen to conduct their security-related workshops in any community.
Details: Domestic Watch meetings; 082 461 6968, madpenny@absamail.co.za
Do you know of any methods used by criminals?
Tell us by posting on our timeline, Alex News or tweet us @AlexNewsZA
Add Alex News on BBM for the latest hard hitting news in your community. PIN: 29CA3017
