As we are well into the festive season, people are looking forward to spending time with family and friends.
That does not mean that crime takes a break.

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GCN spoke to vice-chairperson of Germiston CPF Pine Pienaar about crime prevention tips and how residents can keep safe this festive season.

“Silly season is when crime picks up on all levels. We would like to bring across a ‘fight-back’ effort by one and all,” said Pienaar.

He encouraged residents to be active in the fight against crime as it affects everyone.

“We still get questions from a resident who is not actively involved, demanding security, and yet they are completely unwilling to get involved.

“If you want your area to change, you need to get involved. Residents should ask themselves: ‘What am I doing to solve the issues at hand?’ We are strong in numbers,” said Pienaar.

He described 2021 as a ‘difficult year, adapting to living with the new norm’.

“And yet, CPF kept serving the community. We thank all the neighbourhood watch entities and various armed response companies in our community. As CPF, we are committed and always willing to work with everyone as long as they are functional within the lines of the law, registered, and a statutory body. We have a common goal and that is to fight crime,” said Pienaar.

He urged community members to not join WhatsApp groups that are not part of the established structures.

“WhatsApp groups within the structures of the various areas are in place, which are monitored by patrollers, and there are key individuals who act on any immediate threat.

“The problem is that there are individuals who create groups and ask community members to join the group un-vetted. They advertise residents can report crime.

“These individuals who created these groups do not have the infrastructure nor the channels to prompt an immediate response from patrollers, armed response personnel or the police. We urge the community to join already established groups in place to ensure our efforts are invested in the right place,” said Pienaar.

He reminded residents about the Germiston CPF camera project, which they are working on together with the SWS Armed Response.

“We thank SWS again for being the first security company to support this project and sponsoring the first camera in the Germiston precinct,” said Pienaar.

He shared the following tips with community members:
• Be vigilant in observing your surroundings at all times.
• Don’t walk in the streets with openly displayed property such as jewellery, cellphones, etc.
• Don’t walk and talk without observation of your surroundings.
• When you park your vehicle at shopping centres, make sure the vehicle is locked before walking away. Try to open the door as criminals sit with jamming devices close by blocking the activation of your alarm and locking system.
• When driving in your vehicle, put all valuables in the boot of the vehicle and your cellphone out of sight, as criminals will smash your window and snatch any valuable inside your vehicle.
• Keep your eyes open when withdrawing money from an ATM. Observe your surroundings at all times and shout out loud if someone tries to assist you you don’t know.
• Make sure your alarm systems are in working order by testing them regularly.
• Keep all doors and safety gates locked even sometimes being a nuisance, but rather safe than sorry.
• Always use alternative routes driving home, even drive around the block, and when you feel you are being followed to contact someone for help.

Contact Pienaar on 072 193 8496.