GETTING to know your neighbour could actually save your life. This is what the domestics, who attended the recent Mondoer Domestic Watch meeting, were informed by Martin Bailey.
He advised: “Try and get all your neighbours telephone numbers and know the address where you are working. Make sure your employer has your contact details for your nearest relative or closest friends and make sure you and your employer both know each other’s surnames.
“Ask your employer to invest in a panic button for you and explain to you how it works and always wear it while you are working, in the house or the garden.
“Introduce yourself to the neighbour or domestic worker who is working next door. You need to know who belongs in your street and who doesn’t.”
He also added that domestics in the same street should be communicating about any strange behaviour, particularly strange people walking up and down the street or strange vehicles constantly driving up and down the road.
“Become a nosey neighbour, know what is going on. House repairs or renovations can have criminals or the criminals’ contacts working there.
“Listen out for any strange noises and if you hear a scream, call for professional help. Immediately press your panic button. Use your cellphone as a camera to take photographs if you are hiding and cannot be seen; this will help the police to catch the criminals.
“Don’t tell your neighbour you will be alone on the property when your employer is going on holiday or away for any reason. Keep information about what your employer has in the house private. Criminals work with information they gather over a long period of time before they attack. Don’t help them! You could easily be the victim of the attack,” Martin said.
Domestic Watch meetings
Mondeor Domestic Training: second Tuesday of the month, at Sasol Garage, corner Columbine and Swartgoud Avenue, Suideroord at 10:00. Next meeting Tuesday, April 12.
Kibler Park Domestic Training: second Wednesday of the month, at Kibler Park Recreation Centre, Peggy Vera Road, Kibler Park at 10:00. Next meeting Wednesday, April 13.
Linmeyer Domestic Training: third Wednesday of the month, at Linhill Football Club. Next meeting on Wednesday, April 20.
Glenvista Domestic Training: third Thursday of the month, at Glenvista Shopping Centre, Sector 1 Crime Forum office, Bellairs Road, Glenvista entrance, at 10:00. Next meeting Thursday, April 21.
You may also be interested in reading: https://www.citizen.co.za/comaro-chronicle/48500/adt-may-domestic-watch-meetings-invite-2/
or: https://www.citizen.co.za/comaro-chronicle/52454/domestic-watch-deals-child-trafficking/
