Crime Stats: Human Rights Month should refocus our efforts to make people safer

The month of March reminds South Africans of their hard-fought human rights and the importance of protecting them. “One of the rights we enjoy if the right to safety. If you look at the police crime statistics released a few weeks ago, it becomes apparent that much more can be done to keep people safe,” says Charnel Hattingh, head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity ADT.  

The statistics were released by Police Minister Bheki Cele in February, when he described South Africa’s murder rate as ‘worryingly stubborn’. Hattingh says this description should motivate all South Africans to commit themselves to a collective effort.  

“We cannot realistically expect to drive crime out of our communities if we don’t all work together. The starting point must be to make sure your family and your neighbours are safe,” she explains.   At home, this requires that proper security measures are installed and tested regularly that offer the most effective possible protection while also playing a deterrent role in keeping unwanted visitors away.  

“Once you have put this system in place, then turn your attention to your neighbours and other people in your street. Make sure you share contact details and keep an eye on each other’s homes; you are often the first people to realise if something is wrong next door, which makes you ideal to be the first one to raise the alarm,” says Hattingh.  

It is also important that all incidents of crime are reported to police, no matter how big or small it may seem.   “Police and security companies rely heavily on accurate information on crime trends, to deploy resources in an effective and efficient manner. Even if you are not planning to claim from insurance if someone broke into your parked car for example, please still let the police know,” says Hattingh.