Edenvale’s elderly residents encouraged to be vigilant and keep safe

Senior citizens living in Edenvale have been encouraged to remain vigilant and keep safe.

Also read: Speaking out about crimes against the elderly

This comes after recent residential robberies at the homes of the elderly in Edenvale.

Captain Jean Olckers, spokesperson of the Edenvale SAPS, said in the past three weeks there have been three residential robberies at the homes of senior citizens.

Also read: Senior citizen attacked, robbed

Olckers said in all three cases the elderly were 60 years and older.

He urged the elderly to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to crime.

Also read: Safety tips for senior citizens and domestic workers

“One of the crimes began as a residential burglary and escalated to a robbery while the other two were robberies from the start,” said Olckers.

He said suspects gained entry into the homes by forcing the doors open or by breaking a window.

Olckers said it is vital that both the senior citizens and their families ensure that the elderly’s homes have sufficient security, such as security gates and burglar bars.

“By having additional security measures in place, added protection could be provided,” said Olckers.

He emphasised the need for the elderly to communicate more with their neighbours and for neighbours to check in on the elderly.

“If the elderly see or hear anything suspicious they need to report it,” said Olckers.

Sergeant Jacob Mashile, head of the Social Crime Prevention Unit at Edenvale SAPS, said it is important that seniors do not stay at home alone.

He encouraged them to get out and to interact in the community or to hire a caretaker.

Mashile believes that, by interacting with other community members, seniors can establish communication networks.

“What is happening to the senior citizens of Edenvale is scary,” said Ms Linda McKenzie, chairperson of the Edenvale Community Police Forum (ECPF).

She said something needs to be done to help them.

McKenzie said one of the concepts devised by the ECPF is for neighborhood watch patrollers to adopt a senior citizen or two in the area in which they patrol.

“Once a senior citizen has been adopted, the patroller will visit the elderly person regularly, find out their needs and provide a security check of their properties,” said McKenzie.

She said another method the elderly could use to show their neighbourhood that they are all right is by having a large window calendar in their front window.

“The senior residents just have to change the calendar date each day and the neighbours will know everything is all right,” said McKenzie.

She requested that neighbours of elderly residents befriend the senior citizens and check in on them.

In the future McKenzie hopes to have a database of the elderly in Edenvale.

One method available for elderly residents to establish communication networks of their own is to join the Edenvale Senior Citizens Association (ESCA).

Also read: Be part of Edenvale’s seniors community

Chairperson of the ESCA Ms Janet Jewell said the association offers a variety of activities for the elderly at the Edenvale Community Centre.

“We make community members feel welcome when they come here,” said Jewell.

Since the start of the year, 28 new members have joined the ESCA.

“I think the main reason why the elderly don’t go out and make friends is because they are too comfortable at home,” said Jewell.

Ms Lenie van Heerden, office manager of the Edenvale Community Centre, agreed with Jewell.

She said when the elderly join the ESCA they are able to make new friends and connections.

“The elderly often visit each other and stay in touch with one another. They communicate with each other outside of the association. The art group, for example, all communicate on their Whatsapp group,” said van Heerden.

In order to create greater safety awareness and to provide the elderly with the correct information Mashile said he hopes to host a meeting with them.

He said although he has not yet planned the event, he would like to do it with the ESCA.

“In times of emergency it is important to know the correct numbers to call,” said Mashile.

McKenzie said she would be willing to assist Mashile.

She added that it would be a good idea to give the elderly whistles which they could blow in an emergency.