Security companies and the police always say, just give up if you are approached by a suspect, do nothing and let them do whatever they want to you. I think the police say this because they cannot be seen to encourage self-defence or vigilantism. Their advice is rubbish!
Security companies are good for when you’re away and there’s a break- in, They can then notify you but very rarely do they actually save your life or stop a crime in progress. The tips they offer in response to criminals is self-serving at best, and good for their business. Their ridiculous advice only adds more motivation for career criminals to continue their plundering because no resistance is ever encountered. This is even more motivation for the jobless youth of South Africa to consider a career in crime, because, well, its easy pickings, nobody resists, not even a scream!
How pathetic a nation have we become to allow complacency to crime, where even the authorities and security companies only response is to give up and comply? Let them (the criminals) take whatever they want, rape your loved ones while you watch, drive away in your car afterwards, drink the beer in your fridge while their mates ransack your house or shop.
I’m sorry, but it’s up to you, the public to make a stand. If word gets around that it’s not that easy anymore, the criminals will be forced to stop and reconsider their targets. Criminals rely on the surprise element, without surprise they have nothing. Understandably, if you are surprised and face impossible odds, like several guns pointed at you, you have no option but to comply, just put your hands up and hope for the best. If you see a gap….run like hell or hit the ground and crawl away until you can run. When you are on the ground it’s 50 times more difficult for them to fire a fatal shot. It’s better than waiting for a bullet that may or may not come.
Educate your loved ones to do the same. Everyone has a chance when running away and it demonstrates non confrontation. The criminals are more likely to focus on their plundering and leave you alone.
These are my tips on how to respond to crime, and I fully understand and respect the fact that not everyone is a gun grabbing Rambo like myself.
If my loved ones are with me, in this case it was my daughter, and anybody waves a gun in my face, my first instinct is to keep the barrel pointed out of harm’s way, come hell or high water, then I take my chances from there. But that’s me, not everybody reacts like this. That disturbed his plans and after a ricocheted bullet felled me to the ground, he ran in one direction and me in the other.
Tip 1: The more physical security barriers you have in your house, the better. If the criminals want to break in, it will give you precious minutes to get over the initial ”frozen panic” and react the best way you can. Scream, shout and make as much noise as possible if you have no other means to defend yourself. Wake the neighbours. Have a loud siren panic button with flashing lights. Have a secure room with a strong door that you can retreat to with your loved ones. Have pepper sprays in strategic places in your house, handbag, or car. Most importantly, have an emergency plan for yourself and your loved ones.
The best plan for children is to get away by running or crawling. They can only be expected to fight back, scream, bite, scratch in a situation where they are about to be physically abused or harmed. Even at school, when bullies are encountered with resistance, even if the victim still gets beaten up. the chances are much less he or she will repeat the abuse, because of the possibility of resistance. They will be forced to seek more willing victims, like the ones that follow the police’s advice on non- confrontation.
Tip 2: When coming in and out of your driveway, first stop in the street outside and have a good look in your yard and up and down the street, before you actually go in. Any car or person in the vicinity is a threat at that time, until proven different. I know it’s extreme, but tell me this, do you know of anybody that has not been a victim of crime in South Africa? Even the President has had his fair share. Don’t dawdle coming in and out of your house. Have a plan, and stick to it. Remember the surprise element, without surprise, criminals can do nothing. Stopping in the street first, prevents them from blocking your escape route. You can drive away, or over, or into them if you have to.
I hope this helps you. Let’s start a new trend of carefully planned escape procedures and better security for you and your family. Don’t rely on security companies or police. They won’t be able to help you in a surprise attack.
I hope all stores jack up their security. You don’t see banks getting robbed anymore, this is because they have a plan! A bank is not easy pickings now. I urge you to do the same.
My name is Manny de Gouveia, I live in the South, and I refuse to comply with criminals. I sincerely hope I’m not alone. I challenge you to print this entire article. You have a duty to the community, and a duty to inform the public of their choices.
Manny de Gouveia
