Get your head right

A group of Ballito Neighbourhood Watch members gathered at the Striders Club on June 20 to get some safety tips straight from the horse’s mouth.

Sergeant Stephen Clark, media spokesman for Westville SAPS, spoke about the importance of being vigilant at all times and having the right attitude.

“My main objective is to get your heads in the right place,” said Clark.

“We have to look after ourselves first and when we deal with crime, we cannot let our emotions drive us,” he said.

Clark stressed the importance of knowing where crime comes from in order to understand it.

“The average criminal starts off as a gatherer from roughly age eight when a child starts identifying with his dad. So if the father is not present, the role model becomes the older boys and so gangs start.They engage in petty theft and according to a nationwide crime analysis, by age 18, these young criminals have racked up about 100 offences.”

The real threat is when the gatherer one day finds a weapon and turns into a hunter. According to Clark, these hunters are unpredictable because they have no morals and have not learnt the difference between right and wrong.

The next step is to know how to prevent yourself from getting attacked. People should not see themselves as potential victims. They should be proactive and vigilant.

To do this, follow three simple steps: deny the criminal the opportunity to strike, avoid areas where crime could potentially happen and displace the criminal.

“Shine lights into your bushes, not at your gate, so that you can see if someone is hiding,” he said.

“Avoid going to potentially dangerous areas. If you have to, go in a group and look strong. Finally, make it difficult for someone to commit crime around you by being proactive. Make a noise if you feel threatened as a crook does not want to be noticed.”

Ballito resident Gergina Mitova-Sealby, who was hijacked nine years ago, now follows these steps to keep safe.

“We were naïve and gave them the opportunity to hijack us, but we have learned our lesson and we now act accordingly,” she said.

Clark also taught the members to use the OODA loop to keep them watchful at all times.

“Observe, orientate, decide and act are the four actions you need to keep in mind in order to know what is going on around you and how to react accordingly,” he said.

The members agreed with the OODA loop strategy and according to Ballito resident, Chris Lambson, the active members use these actions to help improve safety.

“We are the eyes and ears for the security companies, rather than being heroes fighting villains,” he said.