Don’t give criminals a gap over Easter weekend
While families are planning getaways over the Easter weekend, criminals are also gathering intelligence to see how they can profit. Onderbergers are urged to take special care with safeguarding their vehicles and homes.
MALALANE – Over the Easter weekend, security companies often see a rise in opportunistic crime and Charnel Hattingh of Fidelity ADT warns residents to be vigilant at home and to safeguard their houses if they go away for the weekend.
She said that the crime is not limited to break-ins when residents are away, but robberies and hijackings in driveways and even break-ins while residents are busy at the braai area or sleeping.
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In Malalane and Komatipoort, Easter weekend means increased traffic on the N4 and surrounds and people heading through the Lebombo Border Post or to the shops to stock up before heading to their holiday destinations.
Visitors and residents are urged not to leave valuables in their vehicles or in plain sight and to double check that the vehicle’s doors have locked before leaving.
According to Nadine Edgecombe of the Marloth Park Community Policing Forum (CPF), four vehicles were broken into last week and residents are urged to keep the aforementioned measures in mind.
Visitors and residents are cautioned to keep to the speed limit of 50 km/hour in Marloth Park as several small animals have been run over by speedsters recently.
Noise complaints are also expected to rise over the holidays and Edgecombe explained that the CPF and other law enforcement has been called out at all times of the night to try and silence big groups. She warned that people renting out their property should ensure their guests know the rules on noise and that they can be contacted to sort out problems with guests. If not, owners will be fined.
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All Onderbergers are urged to take precautions against possible opportunistic criminals by checking that their alarms or home security systems are in working order.
If you are planning to go away for the weekend, let your security company know and leave a key with them. This will enable them to access your property in case of an emergency. Some companies will even assist with feeding your pets.
In Malalane, criminals have recently been targeting homes without alarms or who do not activate theirs, as well as those without burglar bars.
Residents are urged to keep an eye out for suspicious people hanging around in residential areas and to report it to their security company or neighbourhood watch.
Ensure that there are no holes your fence or wall and your pet will not be able to escape while you are away. Building materials, trees or other objects that criminals can use to scale your wall should also be removed.
If someone will be looking after your home, make sure they know how to use the alarm and occasionally switch on lights to create the illusion that someone is at home.
Switch off your geyser and unplug any unnecessary electrical appliances. Besides saving on electricity, this will reduce damage in case lighting strikes your house during a storm.
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Whether you are away or home, lock all windows and doors if you are not actively using them. Criminals in Marloth Park have taken advantage of open windows and doors to steal unattended valuables.
Lastly, make sure you have emergency numbers saved on your phone or a list stuck to your fridge. If you will be travelling, ensure that you have contact details for emergency roadside assistance, police stations on your route, ambulance services and your broker or insurance company.
