The Lambton Klip Sector Four CPF would like give the community a few important pointers on crime issues in the area.
- Why crime prevention?
It is to reduce the risk of being a victim and to remove or minimise criminal opportunities before a crime actually occurs.
It also deters an individual from committing a crime.
As in the case of many private homes and businesses, gated communities occasionally become targets of perpetrators.
“In South Africa gated enclaves are often enclosed by high walls with electrical fencing added to the top of the wall preventing anyone from climbing over it and to enhance security in general but this is just one way to prevent crime,” said Pine Pienaar, vice-chairman of the Lambton Klip Sector Four CPF.
“Additional effective safety measures are required and need to be properly implemented and maintained to further enhance the safety and protection of residents, as well as properties.”
- Crime prevention tips:
- Remember, perpetrators watch complexes and residents closely.
Always be on high alert.
Watch to see what they are up to.
Alert each other of any suspicious person or suspicious activities using the Whatsapp groups that have proved to be a great success and have led to arrests.
- Perpetrators will spend the time to properly target people, residential complexes and residences.
Keep in mind that perpetrators will choose the easiest targets (soft targets) first.
- Never develop a false sense of security or pretend that something bad could never happen to you or your family.
Eliminate that mindset and start introducing home security before it is too late.
“The responsibility for security rests on your shoulders, various armed house robberies that took place in our and surrounding areas over the past few weeks were due to the fact that doors was left open or unlocked thus giving perpetrators the edge on the home owner/occupant,” said Pienaar.
- Keep windows, doors and garage doors locked when you are not at home or are asleep.
Quite often perpetrators just go through unlocked doors or windows.
Many perpetrators gain entry most often by kicking in doors, by installing steel security gates to improve door security this will delay entry.
- Install a home security system and motion sensors, keeping in mind to keep the trigger time to a minimum, a remote activated setup would be much safer as the alarm will be triggered as soon as the door opens.
- Another trend of the perpetrators is that they pretend they are there to check faulty electricity or do some work the owner has called them to do and they then gain entry to the property.
“Don’t just accept ID or some documentation as proof that they are whom they claim to be, rather make a phone call to authorities when in doubt,” Pienaar said.
- Extreme caution should also be taken when putting your black rubbish bags out or working on the pavement.
Recently an elderly man was held up at gun-point after which he and his wife were tied up and the house ransacked.
- Be watchful and alert when you return home.
Take note of your surroundings, people and vehicles and if you feel unsafe or uneasy rather keep on driving to the nearest police station or safe place.
“Let’s keep up being proactive and report all crime/incidents big or small and make sure you open a case with the SAPS and receive a case number.
“Report all crimes to the CPF on the information line 072 193 8496 or email to admin@lkcpf.co.za to be followed up,” Pienaar said.
The Lambton Klip Sector Four CPF meets on the second Thursday of every month at Afrikaanse Hoërskool Germiston.
The next meeting takes place on Thursday (September 10) at 7pm.
Other articles you may be interested in:
Plea from the Lambton Klip Sector Four CPF
Join Lambton Klip Sector Four CPF in the fight against crime
