The plea was made by Edwin Mashile of Emergency Management Services (EMS) at a recent integrated crime and safety campaign held at the Pan Africa Shopping Centre.
Other agencies involved in the campaign include Alex police and its youth desk, Metro police, the Provincial Department of Community Safety, the City’s Department of Roads and Transport and the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA).
Mashile said the campaign aims to make residents aware of how to remain safe and vigilant, especially during the upcoming Easter holidays.
“We receive many reports of people leaving their elderly relatives and children locked in shacks when they go away on outings and holidays. This puts them at risk of many dangers when they are hidden from public view. Some leave them locked in after failing to book them into clinics and hospitals,” Mashile said.
Masile identified some safety challenges such as shack fires, unattended youth drowning in rivers and unmanned pools, accidents due to road congestion and driving under the influence of alcohol.
He urged residents to report any safety concerns to 10177 or 112.
Warrant Officer Moses Sambo of Alexandra Police Station said the campaign aims to encourage residents to know how and where to report any worrisome incidents of domestic violence and other crimes.
“The reporting [crime] rate is currently very low despite the high crime rate in the township,” Sambo said.
Sergeant Matume Manyelo of Metro police said the campaign aimed to also create awareness about road safety among motorists and pedestrians. “Most accidents result from negligence and speeding on roads, lack of regard for other road users, and poor maintenance… of motor vehicles,” Manyelo said.
Lerato Mabaso of the City’s Roads and Transport Department said the use of cellphones while driving caused many preventable accidents. She urged drivers, and commuters, to avoid using them while on the road as callers must either call back or send messages when the person is able to speak.
“Rather be safe or never get where you want to go after an unnecessary accident or death from negligence.”
Mabaso also urged taxi drivers to be courteous to other road users.
“They should learn to give way to others including pedestrians and not to draw weapons when feeling provoked,” she said.
