This was the topic of the day at the Domestic Workers’ Forum held on Wednesday, May 21, at the Bedford Chapel.
Ms Steyn said employees and employers should attend this one hour crime awareness lesson. The lessons highlight how to prevent crime and how to be an informer.
“Not all involved are the actual crime-doers; some people simply create the signs to help robbers identify which house to break into, or to warn others of what to expect on the marked properties,” she said.
She drew a organigram which highlighted the structure of criminals.
“Sitting at the top is the big boss, he does not do the crime himself. He has a group of people who report to him. Those directly beneath him are the group leaders. These group leaders manage and lead the group which will actually commit the crime. A means in which criminals communicate with each other is by leaving signs that read as a ‘yield’ sign for the robbers, or a ‘go-ahead’,” said Ms Steyn.
Some of the signs residents should be aware of include:
Crime signs
A “Z” painted at a stop sign: A few houses are being targeted in that street.
A heap of small stones in front of a house: There are dogs.
Two large stones placed next to each other: Two old people live there.
A few stones in a row: Indicates the number of people in the house.
Colour
Red: Coke can, red rag, etc: Occupants can defend themselves.
Coke can on its side: somebody at home.
Coke can standing straight up: Nobody at home.
White: sorghum/Pap box pointing to house: Marked for a burglary; plastic bag on fence means easy target.
Green: the direction of a green bottle; indicates the direction they should move.
Blue: any blue bag, paper etc: Somebody in the house is prepared to help them.
Black: stock theft in farming communities, like chicken, cattle, sheep, etc.
Other signs
Simba chips packet, usually folded neatly, a face on the packet, pointing towards your house means the boss is at home.
If the face is pointing away from the house: the boss is not at home.
Footprints at your gate: somebody stays there.
They phone your home number: to check if you are home.
They switch off your power at you main electricity box: if you go out to check your box, your home is open for them to slip in or you are a target outside, alone in the dark.
Strange Object: If you arrive home and see a strange object by the dustbin, a cardboard box, brick or tree branch, drive past it. If you get out to remove it, you are a soft target.
Ms Steyn gave tips for residents to prevent becoming a target of crime. She said people should remove loose, visible signs outside their houses. Painted signs should be removed by painting over them.
Residents should also report any signs discovered by their property.
For more information on crime-related matters or criminal signs, contact Ms Penny Steyn at madpenny@absamail.co.za or phone 082 461 6968.
