A free domestic security awareness session was held for all interested domestic employees in the area.
The session was conducted by Cortac Tactical Security Services.
Cortac‘s area manager, Jayson Ferreira told the employees that it was important to always have a panic button at the ready. “The first law of defence against any criminal is pressing the panic button,” he said.
“That’s why you do not leave it on the kitchen counter, you bring it with you, keep it around your neck, in your pocket or on a key holder.”
Ferreira advised the workers to keep gates and doors closed at all times. “It has happened many times in our areas that a person is working outside… next thing a car pulls up next to him and the perpetrator puts a gun to his head and takes him inside the house.”
He said no one would be aware that something was going on and there would be no signs of forced entry.
The company’s senior shift commander, Freddy Inshachi assured attendees that they had the contact numbers of the property owners and that of the employees, so if their panic buttons were pressed, the control room would call the numbers and if the calls were not picked up, they would know that something was definitely wrong and respond.
Also speaking at the session was Parkview Police Station, Sector 1 manager, Constable Padima Makhudu. “If perpetrators corner you in the house, don’t try to be hero,” he advised the domestic workers.
“Give them what they want or press the panic button which will take you directly to one person who can focus on helping you.”
He said response times would be slower if they called 10111. Makhudu encouraged the workers to communicate with each other and be familiar with the faces in their communities so they would be able to identify strangers.
Details: Cortac 086 126 7822, Constable Padima Makhudu 071 675 6064.
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