The Din-Al-View CPF is warning the community that home invasions are on the increase in access controlled communities in the area.
In the last decade or so, many people have moved home into “enclosures” or access controlled communities (ACCs).
“These have been marketed by developers as safe havens, out of crime’s reach, where your children can ride their bicycles and you can relax on your lawn without fearing a deranged lunatic stabbing you in the neck,” said Jane Dijkman, public relations officer for the Din-Al-View CPF.
“The downside is that crime is still occurring in these communities, although it is perceived that these are the precise places which are supposed to have the lowest crime threat.
“I am including retirement villages, complexes and flats in this subject.”
Many of the ACCs have high walls or electrified fences, guards at the entrance, or the entrance is controlled by remote access or a pin code-type keypad.
Some ACCs have roving guards in in cars, golf carts, on bicycles or on foot, yet property is stolen and people are attacked and sometimes tragically killed.
- Entrances and exits:
A good idea is to have a visitor’s register where vehicle details and drivers’ details are entered by the guard from a driver’s licence or other identification.
How often do they check your boot?
Entrances that are controlled by remotes also have their share of benefits and weaknesses.
A benefit is that only people with the correct remote can get in and out.
A weakness is that, when too many remotes get into the system through loss, theft or misuse, just about anyone can get in whenever they want to.
If there are strict controls over who has one, your problems are reduced, however, people give copies to their domestics and friends and these, again, are prone to loss, theft and misuse.
The same can be said for keypad controls. Who has the code?
- Who is your neighbour?
You should be able to spot a stranger.
You should get to know the people who live closest to you.
You must know that they are decent people like you and are no threat.
If you’ve known them for years, then fine, no problem.
Be comfortable with who is around you.
- Plain stupid complacency:
Once people move into a complex or ACC, something triggers in their brain that makes them think that all the reasonable precautions they would normally take may now slide off the edge of the earth.
“Your windows, with no burglar bars, are left open and a laptop is on the desk within arm’s reach and soft whistling is coming from the toilet,” said Dijkman.
“By the time you flush, that laptop is in my bakkie and I’m out of the gate.”
“Tell me I’m exaggerating or lying.
“Look closely at cars parked in driveways; most driveways are only a few metres long so you can get a good look.
“On a frequent basis windows are left down, and a good few times doors stand open.
“Nobody cares about plain, simple caution anymore.
“There is that electrified fence, two unarmed guards at the gate… it is a safe community.
“It’s your life, take it seriously.”
For more on this topic visit www.dinalview.co.za.
Other Din-Al-View articles:
Housebreakings on the increase in Din-Al-View area
Fun and games at the Din-Al-View CPF awareness campaign
