COMMUNITIES across South Africa are encouraged to support their local law enforcement and other security role players in the fight against crime.
“We work closely with many neighbourhood watches and community organisations across the country. When the public works hand-in-hand with their local security companies and the police, there is always a positive difference and generally a much safer community,” said Fidelity ADT’s district community development manager, Rian Buys.
He said the police and private security companies simply cannot be everywhere all the time and depend on communities ‘eyes and ears’ to help them deploy their resources in the most effective way possible.
“Every resident can easily make a huge difference to their neighbourhood by simply being observant of their surroundings, and speaking up when they see something that is out of place. Take note of any potential safety issues and raise it with your neighbours. This includes everything from broken fences, to open gates, to valuable items left unattended. The same goes for children or vulnerable members of your community – by simply caring for their safety, you can make a difference,” he said, adding that if there was no community safety group active in an area, residents should form one.
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“For those looking to start a community security group, we encourage you to call on the private security industry to assist. They have first-hand knowledge of what works having assisted other groups in the past. An integrated approach is also always more successful so perhaps find out if other groups are already active in neighbouring suburbs, and share ideas with them,” he advised.
In those communities that already have active and established neighbourhood watches or similar organisations, it is important to support their activities and attend the meetings they arrange.
“As a resident in a community, I urge everyone who wants to work towards a crime-free suburb to attend CPF meetings so your voices can be heard. By attending community meetings, reading emails and voting when called to do so, you can show support for those who have stepped up and are working towards a security solution for you and your loved ones,” he said.
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