The Din-Al-View CPF is warning residents in Dinwiddie, Albemarle, Castleview, Union and Norton Small Farms that crime has increased drastically in their community.
People need to be aware of their local surroundings, the movement of cars and the movement of pedestrians in their neighbourhood.
Get to know the regular movements of your neighbours and exchange contact details with them.
If someone comes to your gate saying they are from a certain company do not let them in.
Phone the company from your own phone to find out if they have people in your area.
Even legitimate artisans who have worked in residents’ homes have pilfered laptops and cellphones.
Supervise workers in your home.
“Statistics show that homeowners are more vulnerable between 5am and 9am and again between 5pm and 9pm,” said Jane Dijkman, public relations officer for the Din-Al-View CPF.
“Unfortunately, criminals now appear to be synchronising their activities with load shedding, which does not make things any easier for residents.
“Examine the area between your fence and the entrance to your front door from the point of view of a criminal; do this during the daytime and again at night.
“Solar powered lights could be used to light up dark corners and long-lasting battery-powered motion detection beams are available and could warn you of intruders.
“Cut down large bushes that could conceal criminals on the path of your front entrance.
“Do the same to your back garden.
“You need to make it as difficult as you can for anyone to gain undetected access to your garden.”
The CPF’s night patrollers often get a good view of people in their homes through un-curtained windows.
“Criminals could easily observe your household over a period and strike when all the occupants are in the same room,” Dijkman said.
“The patrollers could see families sitting in the lounge and could even determine which TV programme was being watched – and this from a car in the street.
“Patrollers also noticed a number of open gates and even open front doors while residents were home.
“One house had the front door standing open, while residents were having a chat on the pavement.
“The back of the house was on a different street.
“This is an indication to anyone who wants to gain access to your property that it will be easy.”
The CPF is also warning against leaving laptops and other valuables on car seats in parking lots and car doors not being locked.
“This is an open invitation to any passing criminal to take advantage of the opportunity you have presented; we have become very complacent and think it will never happen to us, only to someone else,” Dijkman said.
“No one wants to become a statistic, so please be extra vigilant when you come and go anywhere, even if it is to the shops.
“Look around you first when you stop your car and notice what is happening around you before you make the decision to get out of your car.”
