CRIME INFORMATION
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CRIME BRIEFS FROM THE HONEYDEW CPF OFFICE
Don’t be complacent about safety in a residential estate
Those living in residential estates and gated communities need to be as vigilant about security as those living in standalone houses – perhaps even more so.
Recent media reports and studies done by the Department of Forensic Investigation indicate that criminals do not consider dwellings in enclosures to be tougher targets, and are targeting them with increasing frequency. It is primarily the residents who believe they are safer.
Citing the horrific death of a 75-year old man in a quiet gated community in Benoni on October the 1st, Auto & General’s spokesperson, Angelo Haggiyannes urges people living in security enclosures not to be complacent about their safety.
“Criminals shifted their perceptions about secure enclosures a long time ago. It is important for people living in them to do the same. House robberies and hijackings within gated communities occur more frequently than people like to think,” he says.
Haggiyannes says a lot of residents of estates and complexes rely solely on perimeter security and monitoring but neglect to implement security measures at their own property or observe basic security principles.
“Garage doors, sliding doors and front doors left wide open, and a general lack of burglar proofing, is common place in a lot of residential estates. People seem to have disregarded basic security principles just because they live in secured areas. The absence of security and poor vigilance at an individual household level puts them at risk of being perceived by criminals as an easy target.
“At a macro level, when a number of homes within an estate are not adequately secured, criminals literally have free reign once they’ve gained access to the enclosure. They can hop from one property to the next with relative ease,” he points out.
Unfortunately poor access control is a factor in rising crime in gated communities. So is the criminals’ modus operandi to act with the intelligence and involvement of people who work in, and have access to, security estates.
Many estates, especially golf estates or enclosures bordering nature areas or highways have problems controlling entry into the estates due to the challenges of protecting such extensive and sometimes remote perimeters.
“If you live in an enclosure, you must take onus of the security of your own property and never rely solely on the estate’s perimeter protection measures, access control and patrols. Invest in the very best security you can afford.
“The importance of knowing your neighbours and working closely with your security provider should never be underestimated. It has to be a collaborative effort. Knowing your neighbours and their habits makes it easier to identify unusual or suspicious people, vehicles or activity. It also means that you have someone else keeping an eye out for you.
“When people in a neighbourhood work together by watching out for each other, reporting suspicious activity to the security provider and raising alerts via SMS when there are security breaches or intruders in the area, the community can put up a much better defence against criminals,” concludes Haggiyannes
Dunmar Secuity has produced a leaflet of tips to prevent crime.
DUNMAR SECURITY – VISIBILITY IS KEY TO COMBATTING CRIME!.
For the folk that don’t know - Dunmar Security is a security company which actively patrols, doing a minimum amount of kilometres per day or per shift. As their vehicle is dedicated to our area, CKN, it does not leave the area and response times are fast. Back-up vehicles are also close at hand. They have also come up with excellent rates for folk in the area, including armed response. Dunmar also provides a full armed response service so you can switch from your existing armed response company.
Paying members in CKN currently pay R100 per month which includes subs and the patrol car which is in the area 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. If you aren’t contributing, please consider doing so (see banking details below).
Dunmar is monitored by the committee and CKN pays them monthly. If you are on email, you would have noted that Dunmar have apprehended criminals but more than that because of their visibility, deterred many a would-be criminal. However, your safety starts with YOU! Always be on the alert. Don’t leave any doors unlocked! Watch to see if you are being followed home! Is your house number clearly visible in case of an emergency? Are the members of your family and your employees safety-conscious? Do you know your neighbour in case of an emergency? Are you contributing to the Dunmar Patrol vehicle which you see riding around the area?
.
DON'T EVER THINK IT WON'T HAPPEN TO YOU ! CRIME HAPPENS !
PLEASE REMEMBER:
To keep the 24/7 DUNMAR car running for your safety and protection, we rely on monthly contributions of R100 from the residents of CKN
HOUSE NUMBERS
Is your house clearly numbered? Do this exercise when you come home one evening – look for your house number! If YOU can’t see it, an emergency vehicle won’t see it! A visible house number may just save a life one day.
I ride with the SAPS and also respond to police complaints as I have a police radio. Many times it is difficult to find homes as no house numbers are visible anywhere. The minutes lost trying to find your house number can mean the difference between life and death. CKN made sure your road name was re-painted so please see that your home can be found at night.
A warning to folk who have just moved into the area – be on your guard – amid the confusion of moving, your home could be a soft target.
CRIME STATISTICS IN CKN
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
Armed Robbery Business |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|||||||||
Armed robbery, person-on-person |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 | |||||||
Armed robbery, residential |
3 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
Armed robbery, hijacking |
1 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
5 | 1 |
2 |
1 | ||||
Burglary, business |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|||||||||
Burglary, residential |
18 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 2 | |
Murder |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|||||||||
Rape |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|||||||||
Theft of motor vehicle |
15 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
3 |
4 |
4 | 1 | ||
Theft out of motor vehicle |
16 |
5 |
11 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 | |||||
Petty theft |
4 |
3 | ||||||||||
Total |
54 |
19 |
34 |
9 |
7 |
14 |
21 |
19 |
13 |
22 | 16 | 3 |
These crime figures were updated on
7 February, 2012
CRIME TIPS
When you phone the Honeydew Police Station on 011 801 8613/4/5 please take note
Residents are asked to take care when phoning burglary and robbery complaints through to the SAPS.
A burglary is when your house is broken into whilst you are away. The SAPS will come to take statements but will not “break their necks” to get to you as it is now after the event.
A robbery is when you have been held up and robbed at gunpoint. When a robbery is reported, all available resources are despatched to the caller.
Please make the differentiation between the two crimes when phoning the SAPS.
When reporting suspicious cars and persons, please try and take down as many details as possible e.g. the time the vehicle was spotted, the color of the vehicle, the make and if possible, the registration number.
When reporting suspicious people remember their race, gender (male or female), height, clothes, color of their clothes, distinctive features e.g. birth marks, limps etc.
Advising me, the SAPS or Aqua that a suspicious “white car” was seen in the area is insufficient. Clear descriptions make it so much easier to catch the culprits.
Many domestic servants report suspicious people. Please make them aware of the above. Better still, let them read this newsletter.
SOME TIPS
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Lock doors
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Alternate routes to and from home, work
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Do not leave valuables, laptop, briefcase, cellphone on seat or in full view
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By leaving windows only 5 mm open, spark plug won't have the same effect on the window - it won't shatter!
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Do not ignore street vendors - watch them carefully
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Try to avoid the above locations
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If followed drive to nearest police station.
ANTI HIJACK TIPS
Put Safety first
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Always leave your window approx. 5cm open - if the window is totally closed, it is easier for them to break!
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Always put your bag under the passenger seat or in the boot - never grab for it when you are getting out the car when being hijacked. He will think you are reaching for a gun and shoot you.
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Don't use petrol stations after 9pm - they are now hijacking there too.
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Always keep your cell clipped to your belt - thus when you are out of the car you can call for help.
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Be more aware - count the number of cars around you, the number of people in groups etc. then you will know exactly when one is missing!
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Don't race to the robot if it is red - you get hijacked only when the car is stationary - thus glide to the red robot, so there is only a short time until the robot turns green.
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Be very aware when going under bridges - they drop stones onto your windscreen etc. forcing you to stop.
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When the gun is put to your window - put both hands up facing him -always allow him to see your hands otherwise he thinks you are looking around for a gun and will shoot you.
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Be aware of where the police station is in your work/home area. If a "cop" wants to pull you over drive to the police station first - maybe he is not a cop.
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The human body takes 21 days to kick into a habit -therefore, don't give up on being aware, persist for at least 21 days.
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They are after BMW's, Golfs and Toyotas - be very aware if you have one.
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Of course - keep your doors locked.
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If you have a kid, always put their car seat behind the driver's seat, it is easier to get out him out the car if he is behind you than having to lean over and take him out the passenger side or walk around the car to take him out the back seat behind the passenger seat.
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When driving up to your house, never park in your driveway facing the gate, they can park behind you and park you in - making it easier to get what they want. Always stop in the road until the gate is open before you turn into your driveway. That way, should anything look suspicious, you can drive off.
Please now, we don't want anymore people dying than have to, pass this on to everyone.
Again we cannot stress enough the importance of being vigilant at all times.
Do not enter your premises if you are being followed.
Clear the verges outside your property
so that you have a clear view of the entrance to your property.