WEEKEND OPERATION:
Western Cape: On 2017-11-24 between 18:00 and 02:00 Diep River SAPS held a joint operation with City of Cape Town Traffic Services on Main Road Diep River. Twenty four drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
This office would like to caution motorists whilst on the roads especially during the festive period. Do not drink and drive. You endanger not only your own life but the lives of other road users and pedestrians whilst under the influence of alcohol.
We encourage members of the public to use alternative transport methods such as taxis, buses, trains and so on if they plan to consume alcoholic beverages. Members of the public can expect more similar operations to be conducted throughout the festive season in line with Arrive Alive Campaign.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS LEADS TO ARRESTS
On 2017-11-28 at 14:20 Diep River SAPS in collaboration with community partnerships – neighbourhood watch and security service providers lead to the arrests of two coloured males, aged 29 and 25 years of age, for the Possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
The two suspects were found driving the vehicle in Victoria Road, Southfield after receiving an anonymous tip-off. It is alleged that the vehicle was stolen the night before in the Grassy Park area. No shots were fired and no injuries sustained.
Diep River SAPS would like to thank the community partnerships that assisted in arresting the two suspects. We cannot stress enough how important it is to get involved in your community. The public is the most important role player in the fight against crime. We continually encourage all to take part and take back your neighbourhood. There are many ways in which one can assist in fighting crime. To name but a few:
- Apply to become a SAPS reservist
- Engage with your Community Police Forum
- Join your local neighbourhood watch
FESTIVE SEASON SAFETY TIPS:
As we approach the festive season, Diep River SAPS would like to encourage all community members to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times.
The following tips to be considered into the festive season:
Safety Awareness at Home:
Fences/Walls
A high fence around the house with lockable gates, is much safer than a high wall due to the advantage of the improved visibility it provides.
The primary aim of the fence is to make access/intrusion difficult and to allow dogs to move freely around the house.
Ensure that your gates are locked at all times and that the keys cannot be reached easily and are not lying around uncontrolled.
Security gates with sturdy locks in front of each outer door as well as burglar proofing covering all windows are recommended.
The following devices prevent easy access:
- Window bars
- Security doors
- Security gates
- Razor wire
- Additional locking devices on doors
- Strengthening of doors
- Peepholes in the doors
- Safety chains to doors
- Intercom system between the home and gate, front door or garage
Alarm Systems
An alarm system, preferably connected to an armed response company, can act as an effective deterrent.
In the rural environment a siren/alarm on the roof that can be heard over a long distance and that can be activated by means of a switch/panic button in the house, is recommended.
A few switches/panic buttons in different rooms of the house should preferably be installed.
An alarm must also have the capability to warn the occupants of any intrusion into the house.
Examples of alarm systems:
- Mechanical and/or electrical (purchased types)
- Improvised systems
- Threaded tins
- Threaded pieces of iron
- Gravel on window panes, pathways or around the home
- Obstacles that can make a noise when moved
- Biological Systems
- Dogs
- Geese
- Ostriches
Security Lights
Security lights on the outside of the house improve the physical protection of a house, farm or smallholding.
The lights must be directed away from the house and must allow the occupants to use the windows without being observed from outside.
Be aware of possible shadows and blind spots.
Safety Precautions
Ensure that all doors are locked at all times, and that windows are closed when you are not at home.
Large dogs serve as a deterrent. At least one dog should be trained to sleep inside the house.
If you leave your residence, inform your family/ neighbours of your intended destination, time you expect to return and the route you will be driving.
Ensure that tools such as axes, spades, picks, ladders, etc that can be used in an attack, are locked away when you do not use them.
Vary your daily routine.
Get into the habit of not immediately falling asleep after switching off the lights.
Remain awake for a while.
You should not be visible in the bedroom from the outside when you are asleep.
Always keep a torch nearby at night and when you use it, ensure that you do not give away your position.
If you are unsure about the security status of your home after returning from work/a visit, eg your dogs do not come to the gate, do not enter your home.
Contact your neighbour to assist you in securing your home.
Identify relatively safe places of refuge, ie: bathroom, toilet or storeroom.
The fewer windows and doors these rooms have, the better.
Involve employees as they are part of the family/team.
Employees must be involved in maintaining security on an equal footing.
Clear the areas around the gates of bushes and other hiding places.
Take photographs of all employees.
It could be to your advantage to identify them, if required.
Remunerate your employees when useful information is provided that contribute to the prevention of crime.
Do not employ casual workers without a reference.
Keep record copies of all your employees – Identity Documents (ID’s).
Ensure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.
Access and Key Control
Do not allow strangers on your premises or in your house without having properly identifying the person, especially at night.
Implement proper key control measures.
Identify keys by means of codes instead of indicating in writing on labels to which gate/door access can be gained.
Keys to the safe must be kept on the person.
Never hide any keys in traditional places, such as in pot plants or under doormats.
Keys in the keyhole on the inside of the front or back door should be turned to avoid easy removal.
Never allow strangers to handle keys or look at key numbers.
Change locks when keys are lost.
Insert barring devices in door locks.
Remove keys from doors when leaving.
Communication
There should be two systems for alternative back up:
- Telephone
- Cellular phone
Have the telephone installed where it is easily accessible from anywhere in the house.
Inform your children not to give an indication that adult supervision is not available when they answer the phone.
SAFETY TIPS AT THE ATM
- Be alert and conscious of your surroundings when using the ATM.
- Never give your card or PIN( Personal Identification Number) to anyone, for any reason.
- Don’t write your PIN on the card or anything that is kept with the card.
- Do not insert your card until asked to do so by the display screen.
- Never use an ATM with a blank screen and, if the ATM is obscured from view or poorly lit, leave immediately and find another ATM.
- Stand close to the ATM and use your body and hand as shield to make sure nobody sees you keying in your pin.
- Also, make sure you keep your hand over the card slot to make sure nobody can swop or take your card.
- Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM. You should be wary of strangers asking for help.
- Criminals work in teams- one to distract you while the other steals your card or money.
- If your card is retained (swallowed) by the ATM it is advisable to phone your bank toll free stop card line immediately and stop your card.
- Never allow a bystander to call the toll-free stop card line on your behalf- they could be tricking you into thinking your card has been stopped.
- Guards are placed at ATMs to discourage criminal activities and therefore cannot help you with transactions.
- If you need help, ask a bank official.
- It is advisable to set a daily ATM withdrawal limit at your branch.
EXPLOSIONS AT ATMs
- Explosions at Automated Tellers Machines (ATMs) are a new crime that reared its ugly head in 2006.
- It has spiralled since then.
- When approaching the ATM and it has been damaged, report to 10111 immediately in the following cases:
- If an ATM has been damaged or if any unknown items protrude from it.
- If smoke or flames are visible at or in the machine as this is a sure sign of a pending explosion. (Also move away from the ATM immediately)
- In case of suspicious activity/persons at or near an ATM
- Once the charges have been activated there is nothing that can be done to deactivate the explosives.
- Shrapnel and debris from an explosion can travel for several hundred metres.
- People must be moved away as far as possible and take cover behind something solid, such as a building.
Report any and all suspicious behaviour and information to the South African Police Service.
SAPS CRIME STOP : 08600 10111
SAPS EMERGENCY LINE : 10111
DIEP RIVER SAPS: 021 710 7300
END.
Cst Z.D Marais
Sector 1 Commander / Corporate Communication
DIEP RIVER SAPS
“Customer is King”
Tel: 021 710 7314 / Cell: 079 894 0105
Fax2email: 086 481 1679/ 086 774 6441