The South African Police Service (SAPS) working together with other law enforcement agencies in the North West Province is geared up to ensure that all people are and feel safe during the Easter holidays through Operation Paseka (Safer Easter Holidays) that began on 12 April 2019.
It is common knowledge that crime escalates during this period and this requires extra deployment and vigilance by the police to prevent and combat crimes through enhanced visibility including safety on national roads, within residential areas and any other places where people are expected to assemble in large numbers like shopping centres.
Colonel Adéle Myburgh of the South African Police Services (SAPS), said as in previous years this time, members of SAPS have been deployed in accordance with the Back-to-Basic approach to ensure that, those who travel, visit or stay within the boundaries of the province are safe.
“Even though the police have been deployed to ensure a safe and secure environment as well as stabilising identified crime hot-spot areas, an urgent request is made to all communities to work together with the police, including taking preventative measures to safeguard themselves and their properties as together we will reduce crime,” she said.
Members of the community are urged to take heed and apply the following safety hints.
To prevent contact crimes community members are urged to avoid excessive consumption of alcohol as it is is the major cause of contact crimes such as common assault, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), rape, robbery and murder. Do not carry too much money when going to drinking places and do not carry weapons when you attend social gatherings.
Community members are also urged to avoid sharing a drink with someone they do not know, avoid confrontation when under the influence of alcohol and to not leave drinks unattended.
To apply safety at shopping centres and malls, Colonel Myburgh said community members should not ask for help from strangers at ATMs, avoid displaying money in public, do not ask for directions from strangers and to instead ask from law enforcement agents/security officials for directions.
Community members should avoid buying anything from a salesman at the door, outside the shop, keep personal belongings such as cellular phones, handbag and wallet safe. Always observe surroundings and be at the right place at the right time.
To avoid Trio Crimes, hijackings, house robberies and business robberies, community members should not be alone in a vehicle when traveling at night and avoid stopping around hijacking spots or at any secluded area.
“Always be alert when driving, if you suspect that you are being followed by a suspicious vehicle, drive to the nearest police station or call the SAPS emergency number 10111(Telkom) /112 (cellular phone) and avoid picking up hitchhikers, particularly when you drive alone,” Colonel Myburgh said.
She said when driving people should avoid distractions such as being on phones, drinking and driving, should increase caution at intersections and always look out for people loitering around cars or for any sudden activity around cars.
To avoid house robberies, Colonel Myburgh said, “ always be on the lookout for suspicious persons and vehicles, enhance security through fitting access doors with security gates and install burglar bars on windows.
“Request neighbours to keep an eye when you go away for an extended period, do not open gates and doors for strangers and verify the details of anyone before you employ them. Check authenticity of a contractor before you allow access to the premises.”
On business robberies, she said business people should not keep too much money in the business premises, they should be on the lookout for suspicious customers, not to keep the shop open till late, avoid being alone, especially at night and that business owners must not open for anyone after business has closed.
“If you are a victim of crime, comply, remain calm and do not argue with crime perpetrators, do not make sudden gestures and avoid eye contact but try to remember how the perpetrator looks like by identifying and remembering special features.
“Try to get away safely from the area as quickly as possible and do not be a hero, your life is worth more than anything,” Colonel Myburgh said.
The community is also urged to respect the rule of law, including those who will be at resorts or any overcrowded places, which sometimes contribute to the escalation of crime due to the over-indulgence of liquor.
