Creating a safer neighbourhood this Community Safety Awareness Month

THE Safer South Africa Foundation has earmarked May as Community Safety Awareness Month. The organisation, established in 2012, exists to establish healthy relationships between the community and law enforcement agencies in under-resourced areas, all with the aim of creating a safer South Africa.

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When it comes to fighting crime, community policing forums (CPFs) play a vital role. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Community Safety and Liaison’s website explains that a CPF is a platform where community members, various organisations, businesses, religious organisations and the like, band together to discuss local crime-prevention initiatives.

One of its functions, among several others, is to promote accountability of the local police to the community and cooperation of the community with the local police.

Apart from joining your local CPF and being active on the area’s WhatsApp groups and the like, there are several ways you can limit crime in your home and subsequently in your neighbourhood.

Here are ten safety tips from SAPS:

• Know your neighbours and maintain good relationships with them.
• Know which security services and community-based crime-prevention initiatives are available in your area, and know how to reach them in case of an emergency.
• Maintain sound safety measures and habits at home, and inform your neighbours, the South African Police Service, and the community-based watches of any suspicious behaviour and activities in your area.
• Ensure that all doors, including security and garage doors, are locked at all times, and that windows are closed when you are inside or not at home.
• Keep a register with the details of all persons on the premises, including workers, and do not allow unnecessary access to the premises.
• Regularly clear the area around your house of bushes, and clean the premises and all possible hiding places. Lock away all tools and implements.
• Be vigilant and ensure that all persons on the premises, including workers and visitors, are also vigilant and know what to do in case of suspicious behaviour and/or an emergency.
• Do not react blindly to any suspicious activities, especially not at night.
• Do not keep a large sum of cash and/or valuables on the premises.
• Ensure that additional safety measures have been implemented if you are selling any products from the premises.

For more safety tips, click here

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