The SAP has encouraged South Africans to take precautionary measures to safe-guard themselves and their properties during this festive season.
Police have advised residents, who will be leaving their houses to go to their holiday destinations, not to leave them unoccupied. “This can be done by leaving a relative or any trusted and known person to take care of the house as well as to inform your neighbours about your absence,” North West Police’s Captain Pelonomi Makau advised.
Makau advised residents to cut trees and shrubs to make it difficult for criminals to hide, have security screens on doors and deadbolts or deadlocks fitted, fit an alarm and ensure that the house is lit at night. He also advised people to join local crime prevention initiatives and neighbourhood watches.
Police also warned motorists to exercise caution, be alert and avoid at all costs giving lifts to hitchhikers, irrespective whether they are males or females. “Crime is everybody’s responsibility, thus the community is urged to work together with police and structures like the Community Police Forum to ensure safety and security of all citizens during this period of festivities,” said Makau.
News courtesy of : SAnews.gov.za
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”Echoing my very words”. ”Cape St Francis Crime Watch” is available to join on ”Group fb” for free. There are already posts placed on this page providing you all with necessary anti-crime tips, and also includes fire fighting , beach safety and more. ”Crime and Neighbourhood Watches are springing up countrywide, with ”NHW Crime Patrolling already taking place, and actively working in conjunction with the SAPolice in this regard, which has brought in a lot of success, making private citizens feel they are part crime of the team now, even though they have to leave their own families at home, but providing them and others in the neighbourhood with the necessary peace of mind, knowing they are looking after them by performing their public duty, and making all in their areas feel more secure. These sacrifices are needed to ensure everyones safety and security, which in these times is not an easy task. Lets give them a hand, by doing our bit for the greater community in this country, which I am sure the late Nelson Mandela would have endorsed to see everyone working together making it a crime free society in which we all can live in freely and without fear.