Lessons on crime prevention with Domestic Watch
Topics discussed included how to avoid dangerous situations and how to prevent crime as far as possible.
ANOTHER Domestic Watch meeting was held at Sasol Swartgoud fuel station on March 12. The topics discussed included how to avoid dangerous situations and how to prevent crime as far as possible.
The speakers for the day were Linda Goodenough from Fidelity ADT Security, Michelle Pelser from Mondeor CPF, Joy Boswell (who assists Michelle) and Const Elizabeth Mnguni from Mondeor SAPS Social Crime Prevention.
These speakers contributed to the discussion giving the domestics who attended some very important, useful and life-saving tips in case they find themselves in the middle of a robbery, life-threatening crime situation or any other kind of dangerous situation. They also shared tips on how to prevent crime from happening altogether as far as possible.
Some important tips included:
• When you walk in public, walk with a purpose. Don’t dawdle and start conversations. Don’t advertise your belongings to the world.
• Only store bare necessities in your handbag – leave important documents safe at home. When carrying money with you, disperse it across various parts of your person and not in one place.
• Listen to a robber if he/she has a weapon. They often make drastic decisions when they feel threatened. Criminals know what they’re doing, so don’t try to outsmart them.
• When you see someone is trying to break in, use the panic button and call the homeowner – leave the phone call on at all times.
• Think “what if”. Have a plan in your head for when you find yourself in danger, so that you know what to do if it happens.
• Get to know your neighbours so that they can help if something bad happens. Be prepared to help them, too.
• When a gunshot goes off, lie down flat on the ground immediately.
• When a robber holds you hostage, talk to him/her calmly if you need to do something. Don’t make jerky movements – they might think you’re trying to pull a trick on them and get angry or violent.
• Be sure the children know what to do and how to act during a dangerous situation. Teach them the emergency numbers!
• Have a secret code word that you and your family/employer/emergency contact know. Call them and use this code word when you find yourself in danger.
• Know your address and the nearest street corner.
• Be headstrong and tell yourself: “I will survive, I will not die today!”
• Whatever may happen, don’t be ashamed. Talk to someone and get emotional/psychological support.
It was a very interesting and informative morning for all the lovely attendees. The next meeting will be held at Swartgoud Sasol fuel station on April 9 from 10am.
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Get regular news updates sent directly to your inbox: Newsletter-Signup
