SAFETY AND SECURITY
Community support helps Bossies to be the best
There was an outpouring of support for Bossies Community Justice’s (BCJ) Albert Gryvenstein after his vehicle was damaged by protesters in Barberton. Local businesses jumped on board to provide an alternative vehicle that he could use while Lowveld Bodyworks repaired his vehicle at no charge. Garden City Motors provided an alternative vehicle for the intrepid investigator to use during this period.
The gesture did not go unnoticed. Gryvenstein expressed his thanks to the two businesses for their willingness to lend a hand in support. BCJ has stamped an indelible print on the Lowveld, and relies on a vehicle to get from one crime scene to the next, as they work hand in hand with the SAPS to continue making the Lowveld a safer place. To this end, BCJ is considering adding one more to its number to assist in its crime-fighting endeavours. It is hosting a fundraiser at popular dance club, Mustangs, in association with Rooikat Liquors and Mustangs.
The event is set to take place on April 3 and the entrance fee will be R100 per person. Local acts Pieter Smith, Fatman and Die Broers will be belting out some tunes to entertain revellers in support of BCJ. BCJ is essentially a non-profit organisation, which means that it relies on the generosity of a number of sponsors in the Mbombela and Lowveld area to keep the crime-fighting machine going. Chris Naudé of Marlins weighed in on the invaluable asset that BCJ is to the community.
“Albert is always available to help at the drop of a hat. There have been instances where we would call him with information and he gets on it immediately. “Supporting BCJ is second nature to us, because Albert’s knowledge and experience is valuable for the community. BCJ is good for the community, because of his willingness to help and always be there for us,” he said.
Johan Breytenbach echoed similar sentiments, and said, “Bossies Community Justice plays a very important role in our community. You only realise it the day you need him. “His reaction time and effectiveness when dealing with serious crime is unequalled in this town. Mbombela is privileged to have such an organisation to clamp down on crime.”
Bossies Community Justice
Albert Gryvenstein, operations manager for BCJ, stated that in order for the public not to contaminate a crime scene, the following principles must be adhered to, according to information he had received from a SAPS forensic specialist:
- When entering a crime scene, whether on purpose or by mistake, walk into it in a straight line, not moving or touching anything. Exit the scene on the same line if possible.
- If the scene has been confirmed as safe, nobody except one qualified person must be selected to examine the scene and indicate important evidence for other role players to collect. Again, always use the same walking line.
- Use any form of barrier tape, if available, to secure the scene immediately.
- If a victim only sustained slight injuries and can still walk, he or she should be led to a safe place outside the scene as fast as possible.
- A seriously injured victim must not be moved. Assistance should be provided to the victim without altering the surrounding area.
- If a victim appears to have passed away, exit the scene on the same straight walking line and wait for the paramedics to arrive.
- After the paramedics arrive at the scene, only one person should lead them to the victim or deceased, using the same walking line, at all times.
- Keep any bystanders or family away from the scene.
- Take note of any items of interest that might be lying around, like knives, sticks with blood or firearms that could be used as evidence, but do not touch or move anything.
- Hand over the accident or crime scene to the first police official to arrive on the scene.
- A detailed list must be kept of the names and numbers of all the people entering a crime scene, and they must be informed to stay at the scene until the police arrive.
Albert Gryvenstein: “It is important that all members of the community are educated on the procedures when entering a crime scene, not only security and police officials. It has happened before that a member of the public who arrived at a crime scene contaminated evidence on site, which hampered the investigation lodged into the crime committed.”
What to do if your dog was poisoned
Supplied by Hi-Tech Security
Warning signs include vomiting and tremors (shivering) and in most cases above normal salivation. Also diarrhoea, small pupils and paralysis are signs of poisoning.
Should your dog display these symptoms, get them to a vet as soon as possible. Always make sure you have checked your yard for more suspicious food items before taking an animal to the vet. Criminals will use meat products to put poison in. The animals then ingest it easier. Never touch any suspicious food product and avoid touching your pet if you suspect it has been poisoned. Many of these poisons can be absorbed by the skin. Wrap the pet in a blanket to avoid bodily contact, and remove any suspicious products from the yard with rubber gloves or plastic.
After-hours vet services contact numbers:
Mbombela:
West Acres Animal Hospital: 082-455-4595
Van Wijk Street Vet: 082-441-7084
Central Vet: 073-636-1989
The Vets @ 66: 063-603-0301
White River:
White River Animal Hospital: 073-963-2748
Lowveld VET @ White River: 013-004-0283
We can show you the world, but for now ...
have a look at the statistics in your are around Nelspruit and White River:
BURGLARIES
ARMED ROBBERIES
COMPANY BURGLARIES
CAR THEFT
Burglaries
Cell phones, Laptops, Smart TV’s, tablets, cameras or any expensive electronic devices and jewellery. On small holdings and farms they tend to take chainsaws and brush cutter as well.
“These syndicates are not just involved in stealing vehicles. They are into all types of crimes, from CIT heists to drug trafficking.” John Meintjies head of the CPF Nelspruit.
Here are a few tips to know
1. Always ensure that valuables are locked away.
2. Ensure that your windows at home are closed when going to bed.
3. Train your domestic workers with regards to who may enter your property.
Ensure your domestic worker does not open for any person unless he
or she has made contact with you and
you gave the instruction.
4. Test your security systems regularly and arm them when you are at home and away.
5. Know your neighbour. This is a basic principle that is not hard to implement.
Students walking to school,
consider this:
Children are each different, so consider their individual developmental and maturity level when deciding if it is safe for them to walk to school without an adult. Some children may not have the skills to focus on safe pedestrian behavior until they are 10 or older.
• Make sure they stick to a safe route to school, one with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
• If they need to cross any streets on the way to school, practice safe street crossing with them before the start of school. Ideally, they should walk with at least one neighbor child or older sibling.
• Make sure they know how to say “no” if someone they don’t know offers a ride, and that they yell and run for help if needed.
Business Burglaries
According to Johnny Kerswell of HI-Tech security these are the type of items that get stolen in business burglaries.
Type of items that get stolen in business burglaries:
Cash, Cell Phones, Laptops and jewellery.
Depending on the business. If its Edgars it would be Jewellery, sunglasses, branded clothing and shoes, perfume and cellphones.
They also shared their top 5 crime tips:
1. Do not leave valuables in vehicles
2. Always arm your alarm even if gone for a short period of time
3. Open windows lead to crime – fishing method
4. Create a security resistance using all factors, physical security and technological security for example physical:
Dogs, lights, safety gates, perimeter fence and burglar proofing. Technological : Alarm system, external alarm
sensors and camera systems
5. Always have a means of communication ensure you have a backup communication system.
Latest crime news around your area
Three Brazilian tourists were hijacked and robbed on the road between Hazyview and
White River on Tuesday evening just after 19:00.
Two Swiss tourists were hijacked and robbed on the road between White River and Sabie,
She urged communities to work with police to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
Barberton police are probing two murders which occurred within the time span of a week.
WARNING: Viewer discretion advised. A shot rang out at City Centre in Mbombela in the middle of the night
The Nelspruit Police Station commander, Brig Prince Ngobeni, lauded the police for their efforts in tracking down the pair.
Vehicle Thefts
ACS gives tips on how to prevent vehicle theft.
1. Park your car in a locked garage
2. When not at home, park in well-lit areas
3. Install an audible alarm system and anti-theft device
4. Do not leave valuables in your car
5. Most important, install a proper tracking system. There is over a hundred tracking companies in South Africa.
Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuners, Ford Rangers, VW Golf 6, VW Golf 7 and VW Golf 8.
ACS gives some tips
When your vehicle gets stolen, report it immediately and have the following
information ready:
-Make, model and colour
-Registration number
-Know the tracking company’s unit which is installed in your vehicle.
“These syndicates are not just involved in stealing vehicles. They are into all types of crimes, from CIT heists to drug trafficking.” Albert Greyvenstein
