Hillcrest police urge residents to stay alert during load shedding
Residents have been advised to keep their security gates locked if doors are left open, and to ensure there is sufficient lighting at the entrance of their homes and driveways.
HILLCREST police have urged residents to be cautious about potential robberies, house breakings and theft during load shedding.
Communications officer for Hillcrest SAPS, Captain Linzi Smith, said they have noticed an increase in house breakings and are encouraging residents to ensure equipment and items like bicycles, braai stands, garden tools etc. are stored away and not visible in the garden or yard at night, especially during load shedding.
Residents have also been advised to keep their security gates locked if doors are left open.
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“Items left in full view are precipitating factors in allowing perpetrators to come onto properties and to take these items, including garden furniture. If doors and security gates are left open, it allows easy access,” warned Captain Smith.
“Another tip is to try and keep the entrance to the property and fencing clear of shrubs and bushes as this allows more visibility and more lighting to entrances. During load shedding one can purchase solar lights and place them by your property entrance, driveway and doors,” she said.
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“Having bushes around allows perpetrators to hide and wait for victims. During load shedding we need to be extra vigilant and take steps to prevent criminals from taking advantage. There are many places one can purchase solar or rechargeable lights from unless one can afford a personal generator or an inverter,” she added in a statement.
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