Crime scene advice

AT the recent Domestic Watch meeting (Mondeor CPF), held at Sasol Columbine, guest speaker Linda Reeder (community development manager) from Fidelity ADT Joburg South, spoke to the domestics about how to keep a crime scene secure until the SAPS arrive.

“A crime scene is not necessarily a body but any unusual activity that has taken place. It could be in the home, in a shop or at the taxi rank.

“You will automatically be a witness at a crime scene if you were there when the crime took place. If you are first at the scene you are ‘in charge’ of the scene until the police arrive. Tape off the crime scene with whatever you have, a piece of string or ribbon and don’t let anyone interfere with anything there. You mustn’t touch anything either. If you carry a panic button, call for assistance from your security company and they will inform the police, and if someone is injured tell them and they will call for an ambulance. Observe everything which took place and be careful because the criminals could still be close by to the crime scene, hiding. If they realised you saw what took place, they won’t think of anything but of taking you down. Quickly write down important information so you won’t forget,” said Reeder.

“Take charge of the crime scene, and make a temporary command centre a little bit away so no evidence will be disturbed. Discourage other witnesses from talking about the crime on the scene. If there’s a gun or another weapon lying in an open space, make a note of where it is and remove it for safety reasons. If you have rubber gloves make sure to wear them. It’s always advisable to keep a disposable glove/s on you just in a case such as this or another emergency situation you may find yourself in,” Reeder added.

The meeting, coordinated by Michelle Pelser (Section one Mondeor CPF), was interesting and the domestic workers learnt how to handle a crime scene if they ever have to.

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Safety tips for Domestic Watch

Mondeor Domestic Watch informs about crime issues

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