The Roodepoort Police have issued a warning about new crime hot spots identified in four sectors.
To recap and for our readers’ convenience, we reprint the areas in the four sectors that were identified in Part 1. They are:
Sector 4: CBD Roodepoort and Matholesville
Sector 2: Witpoortjie, Princess and Lindhaven
Sector 3: Roodepoort North and Horison
Sector 1: Wilropark and Roodekraans
https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2019/01/24/new-crime-hot-spots-and-safety-tips-part-1/
Safety tips:
1. Access and Key Control
• Do NOT allow strangers on your premises or in your house without having properly identified the person, especially at night.
• Implement proper key control measures.
• Identify keys by means of codes instead of indicating in writing on labels to which gate/ door access can be gained.
• Keys to the safe must be kept on your person.
• Never hide any keys in traditional places, such as in pot plants or under doormats.
• Keys in the keyhole on the inside of the front or back door should be turned to avoid easy removal.
• Never allow strangers to handle keys or look at key numbers.
• Change locks when keys are lost.
• Insert barring devices in door locks.
• Remove keys from doors when leaving.
2. Communication
• There should be two systems for back-up:
• Telephone
• Cellular phone
• Have the telephone installed where it is easily accessible from anywhere in the house.
•Inform your children not to give an indication that adult supervision is not available when they answer the phone.
Do the following to ensure safety and security in remote areas:
• Know your neighbors and maintain good relations with them.
• Know which security services and community-based crime prevention initiatives are available in your area, and know how to reach them in case of an emergency.
• Have the contact details of the security companies, community-based watches, emergency services and the police station readily available.
• Have alternative means of communication in case the telephone lines and cellular phones are not working.
• Become part of the crime prevention programmes initiated by the police and the community.
• Have sound relationships with all role-players involved, and know who to contact in case of an emergency.
• Consider establishing a neighbourhood watch in your area, or become involved in the existing neighborhood watch.
• Participate in simulation exercises with the police to test the effectiveness of the response to incidents.
• Maintain sound safety measures and habits at home, and inform your neighbours, the police and the community-based watches of any suspicious behaviour and activities in your area.
• Ensure that all doors (including security and garage doors), are locked at all times, and that windows are closed when you are inside or not at home.
• Keep a register with the details of all persons on the premises, including workers, and do not allow unnecessary access to the premises.
• Regularly clear the area around your house of bushes and clean the premises and all possible hiding places. Lock away all tools and implements.
• Be vigilant and ensure that all persons on the premises, including workers and visitors, are also vigilant and know what to do in case of suspicious behaviour and/ or an emergency.
• Do not react blindly to any suspicious activities, especially not at night.
• Do not keep a large sum of cash and/ or valuables on the premises.
• Ensure that additional safety measures have been implemented if you are selling any products from the premises.
3. Safety awareness when parking/ driving your vehicle
• Avoid parking your vehicle where no security officers are stationed to guard other vehicles.
• Do not leave your firearm in the vehicle’s glove compartment (cubbyhole) or anywhere else in the vehicle when you park the vehicle (it is against the law to do so!).
• Make sure that all the doors and windows are properly locked when you park your vehicle.
• Valuable items, like laptops and cameras, must be locked in the boot of your vehicle.
• Beware of people coming to you and informing you that you have a flat tyre – the intention could be to steal items that they see inside the vehicle, or to hijack your vehicle.
• Always close your windows when driving in the city centre.
• Do not open your windows for hawkers along the road and at traffic lights.
• Do not use a cellular phone unless you have a hands-free kit.
• Lock your valuables in the vehicle’s boot before departure.
• At night, park in well-lit areas.
• Store luggage in the vehicle’s boot, where it is out of sight.
• Do not leave your handbag/ briefcase visible in the vehicle.
• Remove detachable radios and the radios front part (face) when getting out of the vehicle.
• Have your keys ready in your hand as you approach your vehicle, especially if they are difficult to find in your handbag.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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