NEWCASTLE – When crime stares you down, how will you react?
Helen de Robillard had a good idea of what she would do, but when the time came, all that remained was fear.
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Fortunately, she avoided becoming another statistic.
Last Wednesday, Mrs de Robillard was on her way home from work in the mid-afternoon, and stopped for a red traffic light at the intersection of Hardwick Street and Albert Wessels Drive.
That was when her regular route became associated with something more sinister.
“I always lock the car doors; a guy rushed up to the side of my car and banged on the window. I gestured that I had no money, and he got aggressive. He pulled the door handles and kept looking inside the car.”
Mrs de Robillard admitted to overwhelming and justifiable terror.
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Despite having access to the Newcastle 911 response channel and an open road, fear overrode her reactions until she finally drove off.
“Luckily no one was hurt, but I’m fearful now. I have to look around from the car to the door to when I get to work. It’s a nightmare.”
Although Mrs de Robillard did not contact the SAPS, the Newcastle Communication, Liaison and Marketing office recently released a list of safety precautions for motorists.
These tips are all relevant, some with specific regard to Mrs de Robillard’s experience.
· Always lock your vehicle’s doors and keep the windows closed.
· Avoid stopping at remote places.
· If a stranger wants to talk to you while you’re in the vehicle, do not open the window wider than five centimetres.
· If something seems suspicious, rather be rude and drive away.
· Vary the route you travel to work and back, if possible.
· Limit trips at night, or have someone in the vehicle with you.
· If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive away if possible, or engage the hooter to attract attention.
· If strangers are loitering near or at your driveway, rather drive past. If they loiter for long periods of time, report to the nearest SAPS station.
· Carjackers may stage a minor collision so they can approach your vehicle.
· If your vehicle is hit from behind and you do not feel safe, drive to the nearest SAPS station for assistance.
· A lift club limits the risk of becoming a crime victim.
· Do not give strangers a lift.
· If possible, set up a mirror against the front garage wall to see if someone has followed you inside.
· Do not open the garage doors before the gates are closed.
· Remember that your life is more valuable than your car or possessions.
