PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS – Easter weekend in Plettenberg Bay was marred by several burglaries believed to be linked to alarm systems being tampered with.
Lisa Nagel of Plett.Watch, a local neighbourhood watch group, said they had been alerted to several burglaries where the alarm systems' wires were cut (according to responders), Nagel said.
Combined with load-shedding, this is concerning. "It is important that residents ensure their back-up batteries on their system are in order. There is no point in paying for security every month if you are vulnerable for between six and 12 hours in 24, due to a flat battery."
She also advised that residents have a designated "key holder" near their homes to check their property should any issues arise.
"Often a security company may not have access to your property and is only able to do a perimeter check, or the criminals have entered in such a way that it is not immediately visible from outside. If there is a problem with your alarm system, it may go off after load-shedding - and many do. The security companies spend hours attending to false alarms after a bout of load-shedding. They must attend in the order the alarms come in, and therefore it could potentially take a couple of hours before your alarm is attended to."
However, she warned that residents should not ignore an alarm activation thinking it is a result of load-shedding. "The criminals know this can happen and will take advantage of it. Where there are four-hour slots of load-shedding, the criminals have enough time to strip your house of all your valuables before you even realise you have been burgled."
Nagel said local security companies have also noticed that there is an increase in the number of criminals that have been released from prison. "These criminals like to return to their known stomping grounds, so they will be checking familiar areas. Please be extra vigilant."
Residents are advised to report any suspicious noises in their area, and to keep an eye out for neighbours. "If we all remain hypervigilant we will be able to prevent a surge in crime."
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