In the last couple of years local residents associations (RAs) have made it their priority to educate domestic workers and gardeners about crime prevention.
From using the panic button, verifying information with the house owner to being reminded to keep the gate locked at all times, the workers have been constantly empowered.
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But are these workshops really bearing any fruit, considering that more houses are broken into in their presence; or is it a case of these crimes only being committed on properties where domestics aren’t equipped with the relevant knowledge? One wonders …
The latest such incident was on Friday, 31 January in broad daylight.
BCI Security operations manager, Quinton Young, told Northsider that at about 12.30pm, their control room received an alarm activation and they immediately dispatched a reaction officer.
“Upon arriving at the client’s property, our reaction officer was informed that she had heard the neighbour screaming for help.
“The officer went to the property to investigate, and found the gate had been jammed. Inside they found the domestic worker tied up,” he explained, confirming that the house had indeed been robbed.
Young said BCI contacted ER24 to provide trauma treatment, and also contacted the security company contracted to the property, of which the officers were there in minutes.
While the matter is under investigation, homeowners are urged to inquire about domestic watch meetings with their respective RAs and make sure their staff attend them.
