The month of February is traditionally seen as the month of love with Valentine’s Day and the celebration of love all around.
In light of this, 7Arrows Security would like to urge residents to spread the love – get to know your neighbours and ultimately reinforce your security in your suburb.
This forms part of this weeks edition of How Safe Are You? an online and print security feature in partnership between 7Arrows Security and the Sandton Chronicle.
Jason Mordecai 7Arrows Security managing director said that community living brings many different aspects to it such as living amongst people from different walks of life.
He said that many of us live in these communities but forget the importance of getting to know our neighbours. “Knowing your neighbours can add another barrier to your home and family’s security. A buddy system whereby your neighbours look out for you and vice versa adds another set of eyes to watch for suspicious activity.”
Mordecai suggested to find out what cars your neighbours drive and who lives in the homes around you. “When a new vehicle enters your area and does not match any of your neighbours’ homes – call it in. Criminals rely on anonymity and if they can scope out an area without being detected, they are halfway to their end goal.”
He added that experience shows that a tight-knit community makes it harder for criminals to breach the suburb. “Suburbs with neighbours that are aware, homes that are locked up and effectively secured and streets that are well maintained, have shown less criminal activity.”
This is a universal system where being united shows criminals that the community does not turn ‘a blind eye’ and each resident has the next persons ‘back’.
“Overall with extra observation and awareness being actioned as a community, will add another technique to prevent crime,” said Mordecai.
He provided some tips:
- Exchange numbers with your neighbours
- Have a neighbourhood braai
- Get to know your neighbours’ dogs such as their names and features as these are great tools in recognising if they have gone missing
- Learn who your neighbours’ children are, including names.
Do you think it is important to know your neighbours? Share your views with us on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page
