President Park family targeted by criminals five times
PRESIDENT PARK - A RESIDENT of President Park, Tiiso Makgale, said her family has been a victim of crime five times since November last year.
Makgale said, “I have lived in President Park for 20 years, but crime was not as bad as it is now. Over the last six months, my family home has been broken into. On 21 December, I was at home asleep with a 2-year-old baby when they broke in.”
She explained that on another incident on 7 May, criminals failed to gain any access into the house because the family turned on the lights and the burglars ran away. The family reported the incidents to the police.
Midrand police Constable Matome Tlamela confirmed that three of the five incidents were reported to the police – burglary cases in December last year and January this year and a damage to property case in February this year.
Tlamela said, “Crime happens all over the country so it is hard to measure which area is most affected as some crimes go unreported. But, President Park is a hotspot for housebreaking and house robberies, though not as high in crime as Sector 2, 3 and 5.”
Tlamela added that police have increased police patrols in the area. “People need to re-inforce their security in their homes. In most cases, if a property is targeted by criminals, they will attempt to break in again and again,” she added.
Tips to prevent housebreaking:
- Make provision for good outside lighting at night.
- Don’t leave your gates, garage, front or back door open or partially open.
- Never open the door automatically when the doorbell rings and make sure the person is expected.
- Make domestic workers and children aware of scams where people try to gain entry to the house to fix something, and then rob the house.
- A watchdog is a good early warning system. Keep it visible as a deterrent, but beyond the reach of strangers.
- Report suspicious characters who pose a threat to the police. When employing someone, make a copy of their identity document and do security clearances at the police.
- Install the best security you can afford.
- Know your neighbours and build a relationship of mutual trust and support with them.
