BY Obakeng Maje

NORTH WEST PROVINCE:- The police in the Province will leave no stone unturned in their quest to bring down the level of crime across the Province this festive season. Police will be deployed in most of the hot spots, main roads and highways in the major towns and cities of the Province.  

The South African Police Service is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for all people in South Africa. This can only be achieved if individuals and communities cooperate with the Police by volunteering information on criminals and their activities, and by persons taking reasonable steps to ensure their personal safety. In partnership the police and the community can ACT- Against Crime Together, to prevent crime.

Safety at home:

❖  Know all emergency numbers.❖  Keep your cellular phone in your bedroom.❖  Never leave keys in a gate or lock.❖  Make provision for good outside lighting. Remember outside lights that are on during the day draw attention of thieves.❖  Mail left in the gate is also a sign that nobody is home. Get a friend or neighbour to keep a regular eye on your property and to remove mail and newspapers.❖  Never leave workmen unattended in your home.❖  Don’t leave your garage, front or back door open or partially open-it serves as an invitation to burglars.❖  Never open the door automatically whenever the bell rings or if someone knocks. Make sure the person wanting to enter is expected and well known to you.❖  A watchdog is a good early warning system. The unexplained death of a watchdog is a warning sign of a possible burglary.❖  If your alarm system goes off or you hear strange noises, switch on the outside lights, and investigate with caution. Don’t go outside before you are sure that it is safe. If you see anyone on your property that does not belong there, don’t wait, call the police.❖  Keep your entrance clear of plants or obstacles that can provide a hiding place.❖  Install security gates at outside doors and keep them locked.❖  Know your neighbours and build a relationship of mutual trust and support.❖  Keep cash and valuables in banks or safes.❖  Store firearms in a safe and do not let anyone, including household employees and children, know that you have a firearm in the house. A safe out of sight, attached to a wall with roll bolts inside a cupboard is a good choice. 

Safety at the ATM:

❖  Avoid isolated ATMs and using the ATM late at night. Try to select an ATM in well-lit busy areas.❖  If you feel unsafe at an ATM, trust your instincts, go away and use another ATM.❖  Never write down your pin or carry it near your ATM card. Memorise it and keep it a secret.❖  Don’t carry your bank cards with your ID, passport or driver’s licence in the same wallet or folder.❖  Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM.❖  Don’t be distracted, intimidated or hurried into your transaction. Take your time.❖  Never let a stranger touch your card. When paying with your card, do not let it be taken out of your eye sight.❖  Never force your card into the card slot.❖  Be sure no-one is looking over your shoulder when you key in your Pin.❖  Cancel your card if the machine retains it by calling the card stop number. 

How to reduce the risk of rape and sexual offences:

❖  If possible, avoid walking alone. Your best defence is having people nearby.❖  If you walk alone, plan your route carefully. Take note of stores and restaurants that are open, should you need to ask for help.❖  Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible.❖  Walk on the side of the street facing the traffic.❖  If you work late, don’t go to your car alone if you can avoid it, ask someone to escort you to your car.❖  Have you keys ready when you approach your car or home and get into the car or enter your home immediately.❖  Never pick up hitchhikers of either sex.❖  Don’t leave food or drinks unattended in public places.❖  Don’t leave a party or social event with someone you do not know or have just met.❖  Don’t hitchhike.❖  Alcohol may be legal, but of you use to much of it, it impairs your judgement, which could make you more vulnerable. Make sure you have friends with you and look after each other. This is especially important for women, young girls/men.❖  Don’t rely on a ride home from someone who is going to drink, as you will be faced with an unsafe situation.❖  Keep in mind: most victims know the rapist. Do not leave the care of your children to anyone you are not 100% sure of. People known to the family commit most child rapes. 

The Provincial Commissioner,  Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo,  indicated that there are a number of areas of concern, looking at the broader crime picture in the Province and more focus will have to be given to Crimes against Women and Children, Rape, Aggravating Robberies, Burglaries and Assaults with Intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm, which seem to be dominating the crime picture. “We are going to deploy members to work with various stakeholders as we always do during this period of the year and we are appealing to all our communities, visitors, tourists and road users to be patient, always vigilant and co-operate with the law enforcement officers who will be deployed on various roadblocks and Crime Prevention operations throughout the festive season so that we all enjoy a crime free holiday”, the North West Provincial Commissioner of the police said.