Police arms residents with safety tips
Residents are urged to keep security systems armed.
DUE to a spike in house break-ins and robberies, Brighton Beach SAP in conjunction with ADT Security Services hosted an awareness campaign to address the issues at Bluff Towers and Hillside Mall on Friday, 23 May.
The aim of the campaign was to re-instil in members of the community on ways to minimise their risk of becoming potential targets. Criminals pay attention to their targets, monitor their movement and prepare to strike when least expected.
While on the campaign trail, it was noted that many residents had not taken appropriate action to safeguard their homes. There were many open windows and gates. Home-owners are reminded to switch on their security alarms and ensure automatic gates are closed.
“It is also concerning to us that dogs are left tied up on short leashes without any shade. A security dog is your first line of defence by being an alarm system. Don’t brush off their barks,” said Brighton Beach SAP’s media officer, Capt Louise Le Roux, who also researched and developed the distributed literature.
Safety tips:
* Ensure your house number is clearly visible. This will help with prompt response in cases of an emergency. Memorise all emergency numbers.
* Know your neighbours. Exchange telephone numbers for emergency purposes.
* When going away for long periods of time, make arrangements for your post to be collected from your post box.
* Trim hedges and cut your lawn, prior to departing on holiday and maintain hedges continuously.
* Have a light switch with a sensor or timer installed. Ensure your house has sufficient lighting, especially at night.
* Have an alarm system with a panic button facility installed.
* Have security features fitted to all doors and windows.
* Don’t open your door or gates to strangers. Have a door view and latch chain fitted.
* When entering your premises, don’t talk on your mobile phone or leave the gates open. Ensure that gates and doors are locked behind you.
* Don’t place spare keys under your door mats or hide them in pot plants.
* Ensure that all doors and windows, including those of outbuildings are locked before leaving home.
* A watchdog is a good alarm system. Let your dogs roam the property at night, don’t lock them away or tie them up.
* Change departure and arrival times and routes, as criminals monitor movements of their targets.
* Don’t hang your keys on a key rack where it will be visible through open doors and windows. Leave them in a drawer.
* Lock your valuables, such as firearms, jewellery and cash in a safe that is affixed to a wall inside a cupboard and keep a record of serial numbers of electrical goods.
* Inform your domestic worker and gardener not to reveal information to strangers on departure and arrival times to any person making enquiries.
* Train your domestic worker and gardener to contact the police should they see suspicious persons hanging around your premises. Condition them to take note of appearances and vehicle registration numbers. Affix emergency numbers within the house for easy access.
