In light of the current unrest in Gauteng, Beagle Watch Armed Response Managing Director, André Aiton, invited all community members to attend a special online briefing session.
This 30-minute session was held on Tuesday, July 13, and saw around 200 members of the community join in the discussion.
The aim of the session was to share the additional measures Beagle Watch has put in place as part of their proactive approach to safeguarding the communities they serve.
Part of this proactive approach was to share tips with the community on how to be best prepared for situations such as this.
“The first and most important thing is to remain absolutely calm. Everyone is nervous and anxious at this point but we need to keep calm,” he said.
Secondly, he urged all families to sit down and arrange an evacuation/ emergency plan. Include all children and explain what is expected of them as well, should the event occur.
“After speaking with your family, it is key to sit down and speak with your staff and domestic workers too. Find out what their travelling patterns are and make sure that it’s safe for them to travel to and from work. If it’s not safe, rather refrain from having them come in,” André said.
He urged community members also to have a safe room in their home, such as a bathroom that can be locked from the inside. A panic button should be kept in this area and should be tested on a regular basis.
According to André it is better to stay home and avoid shops and unsafe travelling routes where possible. He encourages all members of the community to keep their cellphones charged at all times, especially when load-shedding is expected.
“Last but not least, we should join forces in not spreading false news or videos. This will only lead to unnecessary fear and uncertainty among friends and family,” he said.
“While the situation is calm in our footprint at the moment, the safest option is to stay at home and avoid the shops and malls. We are aware that a number of malls and shops were either closed for the time being, or were closing early to protect their staff. Kindly check ahead if you are in doubt.”
