Helpful tips to follow in crisis situations

The safety of the community remains the Edenvale SAPS’ top priority.

Acting communications spokesperson Warrant Officer Jean Olckers shared a few tips on how the community can become a safer place for all.

Safety at home

Preventing housebreaking and theft:

•  Know all emergency numbers.
•  Keep your cellphone in the bedroom.
•  Never leave keys in the gate or in the lock.
•  The locks on the gate should be changed when you move into a new home or after keys have been lost or stolen.
•  Make provision for good outdoor lighting – remember, outside lights left on during the day draw the attention of thieves.
•  Mail left in the gate is also a sign that nobody is home. Get a friend or neighbour to keep a regular eye on your property and remove mail and newspapers.
•  Do not leave ladders lying around.
•  Never leave workers or contractors unattended in your home.
•  Conduct a thorough background check before employing anyone.
•  Be careful what you discuss in front of staff.

If your house has been broken into:

•  Contact your nearest police station immediately.
•  Wait until fingerprints and statements have been taken before touching anything.
•  Unless it is completely necessary, do not allow private security or personnel into the house or touch anything before the police have investigated the scene.
•  Look for strange footprints in the garden and point them out to the police.

Safety at business premises

Preventing a robbery on business premises:

•  Employ surveillance cameras strategically and implement some form of entrance and exit control.
•  Make sure persons can be clearly identified by the cameras, as the video footage assists the SAPS with their investigation.
•  Keep the premises well illuminated, both inside and out.
•  Take special precautionary measures at opening and closing times. Ensure that two or more staff members can be present when the premises are being locked or unlocked.
•  Place static panic buttons in strategic areas of your store, for example, in the cash office or strong room.

Guidelines on what to do during armed robberies:

•  Do not resist the robbers. Do exactly as you are told. The robbers are in control of the situation because they are armed and it serves no purpose to resist their instructions.
•  Relax. Regulate your breathing, taking long, slow breaths. This slows your heart rate and helps to relax.
•  Speak slowly. Do not shout or raise your voice to the robbers. They are probably more nervous than you and it won’t take much for them to lose self-control.
•  Do not make sudden movements when you want to do something, even if it is upon instruction from the robbers.
•  Do not set off the siren. Activate any alarms only if you can do so secretly without being seen. Many armed robbers have turned violent.
•  Do not look at the robber directly in the face. The robbers might believe you are trying to memorise their features for later identification.
•  Give robbers time to leave. Do not shout or do anything until the robbers have left the premises.
•  Do not try to be a hero. Do not attempt to prevent the robbers’ getaway.

How to survive a hijacking

•  If confronted by hijackers, the aim is to survive the crime.
•  Accept that you are going to lose your vehicle.
•  Do exactly as you are told by the hijackers.
•  Surrender your vehicle and move away. Remember, property can be replaced but a life cannot.
•  Do not reach for your purse or valuables.
•  Answer every question truthfully, especially with regard to firearms.
•  In your state of shock, try to understand what the hijackers want from you.
•  Do not throw away your keys when requested to hand them over.
•  If you have a baby or pet in the vehicle, tell the hijackers.
•  Phone the police immediately after the hijackers have left the scene.