THE Community Awareness Training (CAT) on March 10 addressed a critical issue of the importance of knowing your neighbour.
While CAT coordinator, Sarah Wissler isn’t saying you have to like your neighbour, she is however, opening your mind to the fact that your neighbour could either be your saviour during an attack by criminals or they could be a syndicate that’s been operating in the area.
This topic follows an article in the CHRONICLE on March 11, ‘R2 million of drugs seized in Mulbarton’, about drug laboratories in Mulbarton and Wadeville which were raided by the Hawks and JHB Flying Squad on March 4. Mandrax tablets were being manufactured and residents were oblivious to the drug activity taking place.
“You (domestic worker) and your neighbour should be communicating about any strange cars driving around in your neighbourhood or driving constantly up and down or parked in your street,” said Wissler to a room full of domestics attending the empowering training.
“Become a noisy neighbour, know what’s going on in your street. Be aware and keep each other informed about new people arriving in the neighbourhood. They should be met, checked up on and invited to the CAT meeting,” added Wissler.
She reiterated that having the cell numbers of neighbour and other residents in your street is important in order to notify each other of suspicious activity. Domestics should also have the SAPS Sector patrol vehicle number or the 112 toll free number on speed dial to alert police.
Wissler advised: “Create a neighbourhood watch group so that you can keep on top of what’s happening in the street. There’s always safety in numbers.”
Having a “panic word” for emergencies is also good, like shouting “Red” if you or your neighbour is under attack to alert your employer or other people if there’s trouble brewing.
