Do high walls make you feel safe? Does having a gun make you feel safe? Do booms in your area make you feel safe? These were some of the questions asked of domestic workers and gardeners at the Domestic Watch meeting at Fontainebleau Community Church on 21 OCtober. Domestic Watch co-organiser Annie Conway discussed some of the myths behind safety and security.
High walls do not protect you because young men can easily jump over them, Conway said. They are merely a “screen”, providing a false sense of security. Intercoms should make you feel safer because they can prevent you from being held up at gunpoint, if a criminal comes knocking. Having a gun should not make you feel safer. This is because innocent people are often shot by a relative’s gun, and robbers always look for them when committing a robbery.
Although it has been proven that booms decrease crime in an area, guards do not stop everyone at booms. The guards also do not check the information visitors give them. Burglar bars can only keep you safe if they are of the correct strength. If bars are too weak, they can be easily broken. If they are too strong you cannot break them in the event of a fire.
Not answering your cellphone in a taxi should not make you feel safe. Emergencies happen, and you should try to always answer your phone. However, when in a crowded taxi you should answer quietly to avoid being targeted for a mugging. “What we are trying to do at Domestic Watch is empower you to be more aware and secure,” Conway said.
Details: Domestic Watch and police Customer Service Trainer Penny Steyn 011 783 8776; 082 461 6968.
