Following a recent attack on a woman during a house robbery in the Moot, the awareness of the safety of elder residents has been heightened.
Pretoria Moot CPF chairperson Elsabe van Staden said last Thursday afternoon a robber had attacked the Blake street resident.
“The criminal climbed over the wall. There is a big tree next to the wall, it is suspected that he used the tree to support himself over the wall.”
Van Staden said the suspect hid in the yard and waited until the woman’s husband left for the shop then attacked her.
“She had to undergo several operations after the attack,” she said adding that her condition had since stabilised.
Van Staden said the elderly in the Moot were increasingly targeted by criminals and fraudsters.
“Fraudsters and petty criminals are increasingly preying on vulnerable senior citizens, who are seen as soft targets,” she said.
Van Staden provided the following safety tips:
– Always try to stay in good health
– Build a close circle of friends
– Make sure your medication is within reach
– Start a “disaster kit” in times of an emergency
– Keep the home in good repair
– Lock doors and windows
– Consider an alarm system
– Install a peephole in the door
– Install a home security system
– Develop a list of emergency contacts
– Install motion-activated lights
– Have friends or family pick up packages when you travel
– Install handholds and bars in the bathroom
– Make it easy to call for help
– Remove hazard
– Keep security gates locked at all times
– Close windows and do not leave any valuables close to windows
– Do not wear expensive jewellery when out shopping
– Don’t employ anybody before you had them checked out by the police
– Keep your vehicles locked behind a closed gate and also make sure that your vehicle is in a good condition
– Keep all your medical history where medical services personnel can easily get hold of it
– Sign up with an armed security company – they provide more than just security.
Van Staden said they wanted to make sure that the elderly were protected.
“We, as the CPF, want to try and put the elderly residents on a database or have neighbours help to monitor them,” she said.
“This way, we could at least once a day, make sure that they are safe.”
She urged residents to take time to take care of the older people in the Moot.
“It is very sad that these precious residents of ours become victims of crime.
“If we all stand together, I believe that we would be able to make a difference” she said.
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