KNYSNA NEWS - Security experts believe communities have a major role to play when it comes to fighting crime.
After a recent spate of crime in Plettenberg Bay’s Poortjies area, Fidelity ADT issued a public call on all residents of Plettenberg Bay to become involved with the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA), as this type of organisation has “time-and-again been proven to make a positive difference”.
“Your neighbours are often the first people to see if something is wrong at your home, which makes them the ideal partners in the fight against crime,” said Fidelity ADT’s Plett branch manager Steven Green.
“If we stand together with our neighbours and look after each other, we can make our suburbs ‘no-go zones’ for criminals.”
He recommended that if you had just moved into a new suburb, to make an effort to meet your nextdoor neighbours as soon as possible and share contact details with them.
“They could also provide useful advice on existing community safety organisations in the area.”
'Become involved'
He strongly urged anyone who lived in an area where a neighbourhood or community watch had already been set up, such as the PBCPA, to become involved with the organisation as a matter of urgency.
“The involvement could take many forms – from becoming a patroller to offering monetary or logistical administration support.”
Green said that knowing who lives in your area and engaging with your community often leads to combined security implementation and these have a “far greater impact on an area than individual efforts”.
'Share tips'
“When neighbours start sharing security tips and reporting suspicious individuals or vehicles spotted in their area, security providers and the police are able to get a better understanding of the activity in the area and implement effective crime prevention tactics.”
Green said it is also very important to introduce your children to the neighbours. “You can, for instance, agree to keep an eye on each other’s children when they are playing in the garden. Teach your children to go over to one of your neighbours if they are home alone and feel unsafe.”
He added that another good idea is to write the contact details of at least one or two of your neighbours on your list of emergency numbers and keep this near your telephone.
“In the event that something happens to you or a loved one in your home, a neighbour will be able to assist you until emergency services arrive.
“The men and women of the South African Police Services simply cannot be everywhere all the time. Neighbours who care about each other and become active participants in the safety of their suburb, can make a massive difference.”
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