“Always be safe and don’t try to be heroes. Rather lock yourself in the toilet and scream,” said Fred Adams from Ye-Sizwe Security to a group of domestic workers during a recent crime prevention campaign.
Adams, who partnered with the Little Falls and Strubens Valley Residential Community (Lifco) and Ward 85 councillor Carl Mann, shared his industry expertise in dealing with house robberies.
He told domestics that, “While your employer is at work, he or she is safe, but you are not.”
He went on to offer tips to the domestic workers who attended the session at Eagles View Guest House and Conference Centre in Little Falls on 18 September.
Adams expressed the importance of having a speed dial facility, and how domestic workers are a good source of information. “It’s good to have speed-dialing on your cellphone, so you can just press 1 and speak to your employer or the police.”
“You [domestic workers] are a good source of information. You move around and know what people are talking about. You can report on that and so assist in combating crime,” Adams explained.
He also advised domestics to implement a whistle programme among neighbours.
Adams also suggested domestics should have pepper spray, a notepad and pencil, and a whistle on hand. He is willing to get these items for the domestics, provided he receives donations or reaches a certain monetary agreement with employers and resident associations.
An executive member of Lifco, Hennie Schreuder, approved the formation of a domestics’ sub-forum within Lifco. He also encouraged them to start their own WhatsApp group and elect a representative who will discuss concerns with Lifco.
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