THE Kloof Community Police Forum (KCPF) is thrilled to announce that crime has dropped significantly in the last few weeks/months, but warns residents that crime usually increases at this time of year as criminals take advantage of your new Christmas purchases.
If you are going away on holiday, please ensure that your property continues to look lived in – lights are put on time switches, newspaper deliveries suspended, neighbours
asked to collect your mail, and garden services continue to mow lawns. Nothing is more inviting to burglars than a property that is clearly uninhabited.
“We would like to thank all those people who have worked tirelessly to keep us safe – SAPS, SACAN and all security companies, street patrollers and all other stakeholders. Many of them risk their lives on a daily basis and we hope that our community will remember those who serve us over the Christmas season. Something as small as a tin of biscuits or an extra fruit cake dropped off at the police station speaks volumes of our gratitude towards those who endeavour to keep us safe, said Corne’ Broodryk, Chairman of KCPF.
The KCOF would also like to thank all those who generously donated to their camera project during the year. The positive result of having these cameras in place is evident in the decrease of reported crimes.
Street patrollers have been busy dealing with attempted housebreakings, drunken drivers, vagrants and wherever needed, playing a distinct role in the reported decrease in crime in the area. Attempts are being made to engage with taxi drivers to gain their co-operation. A valuable suggestion was made for residents to provide their domestic workers with a note when passing on their unwanted possessions to them. This will mean that they are not compromised at all if stopped by patrollers/security personnel.
Captain Mpungose from Kloof SAPS has recently had meetings with Standard Bank and FNB about recent incidents at these two banks to try and brainstorm how these can be reduced/eliminated. Both banks reported that all incidents had taken place outside the banks with people being followed to either deposit large amounts or after large withdrawals. Mpungose urges people to engage the services of security providers to assist when dealing with large amounts of cash and to not withdraw money from the ATMs at night when no security guards are present. He also warned about the increase in cloning of credit cards and urged people to never let their cards out of their sight. New, more sophisticated ATMs are due to be installed at FNB Kloof. He also recommended using cash tills at supermarkets to withdraw monies from your account, rather than ATMs.
Blue Security recently suggested in their weekly bulletin that at this time of year storms can cause your alarm to activate. During an electric storm, they recommend that you unplug your power source until the storm is over as a power surge can cause the alarm to go off and/or cause damage to the electronics. You will still be protected as your system has its own backup battery that is capable of sustaining normal operation for several hours. Just remember to plug your power back in when the storm has passed. Your battery will recharge itself.
The KCPF works closely with Open Door Crisis Centre and they are in desperate need of a large new white board. They receive no government financial help and rely on donations and grants to keep going. If you are able to help, contact Nikki Möhlmann on 031 764 7069.
Tips from a policeman:
1. The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, don’t hand it to him! Toss it away from you. Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. Run like mad in the opposite direction.
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won’t see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working and apply lipstick, check their lists or fiddle in their handbags. Don’t do this! A predator could be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. As soon as you get in your car, lock the doors and leave.
5. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head do not drive off! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
6. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
a) Be aware: Look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor and in the back seat.
b) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most victims are attacked by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
c) Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk away and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.
7. Take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at night.
8. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, always run. The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times and even then, it most likely won’t be a vital organ. Run, preferably in a zig -zag pattern.
9. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: It may get you raped, or killed. Those with bad intentions can use the disguise of a cane, or a limp or a plea for help to turn you into their next victim.
10. If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a burst pipe, don’t go out to investigate as this is often a ploy to lure you outside to attack you.
KCPF contact details:
Corne Broodryk (chairman) 083 659 4995
Bekela Maphumulo (deputy chairman) 082 375 7709
MaryLou Giliam (secretary) 031-764 0126
Nikki Möhlmann (projects coordinator) 031-764 7069
