Sgt Jacob Mashile, head of Edenvale SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit, and ADT paid a visit to Edenglen High School last week.
Mashile and Renee Basson, the Edenvale community development manager at Fidelity ADT, presented a safety talk to Grade Eight and Nine learners.
Mashile said it was held in response to the recent criminal activity at and near high schools in the area.
Over the past month a cash-in-transit heist occurred in Modderfontein, a Dowerglen High School learner was shot by a stray bullet and several suspects attempted to rob Edenvale High School.
Mashile said since the Dowerglen High School incident Edenvale Police Station has taken it upon itself to visit Edenvale schools unannounced.
“The school visits are done to ensure that we are visible in the community, at the schools and form part of crime prevention,” said Mashile.
“The aim of the talk was to give safety advice to the staff and learners,” said Mashile.
Additionally, teachers were reminded of the agreement signed between the SAPS and education department several years ago encouraging both bodies to work together.
He added that this will be an ongoing initiative for Edenvale high schools and will be carried through to primary schools.
Mashile and Basson identified the different sectors in the area making the learners aware of what sector they fall in.
They encouraged learners to make sure their families are part of WhatsApp groups for their sector and discussed the importance of keeping emergency numbers easily accessible.
Safety tips discussed at the talk included:
• How to remain safe while travelling to and from school.
• How to use an alarm system.
• How to use a panic button.
• To be vigilant.
“We ask learners to not take videos or photographs on an active crime scene and rather stay safe,” said Mashile.
Mashile said he will visit Dowerglen High School at the start of the new term.
