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  1. #1
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    Default How to prevent houserobberies

    Below is an extract from a SAPS issued document. It has its merits, but there are a few shortcomings:


    How to prevent House Robberies

    (From http://www.saps.gov.za/projects_camp..._robberies.htm)
    ACT AGAINST CRIME TOGETHER
    BUILDING A SAFER SOUTH AFRICA

    Reject and report stolen goods

    Property crimes such as theft, housebreaking, shoplifting, handbag/cellphone snatching and theft out of motor vehicles lead to unnecessary suffering and impoverishment. If you buy stolen goods, more victims will suffer, because you provide a market for these goods and an incentive for criminals to keep stealing them. As thieves go about stealing goods to meet the demand for stolen goods they commit other crimes along their way and even murder or assault a witness or helpless victim or rape or injure a vulnerable woman or child.

    Receiving stolen goods is also punishable by law. Reject any goods you suspect could have been stolen and report it to the police on Crime Stop 08600 10111


    If they stole it and you buy it more victims will suffer.

    House robbery: When someone uses violence or threatens to use violence against another person in order to steal something on the residential premises of anyone, house robbery is committed.

    If your house has been broken into -

    • Contact your nearest police station immediately.

    • Wait until fingerprints and statements are taken before touching anything.

    • Do not allow private security companies to enter the house or touch anything before the police have arrived.

    • A list of the make, model, and serial numbers of electrical appliances and other valuable equipment should always be available for investigation purposes.

    PREVENT HOUSE ROBBERY AND THEFT

    • Know all emergency numbers.

    • Make provision for good outside lighting, but switch the lights off during the day. Outside lights that are on during the day and post that are left in the gate are signs of no-one being home. Don’t leave your gates, 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 completely sure the person wanting to enter is expected. Domestic workers, garden staff and children are often approached by robbers who act as telephone or TV repairmen, electricians, plumbers, TV licence or municipality inspectors and many other professions. In an effort to gain entrance robbers use a cellphone and make as if they are talking to the owner of the house so as to put pressure on unsuspecting victims to open the gate or door. Those remaining at home should be made aware of these scams. Emphasise the need for security to your domestic worker, so too ensuring his/her own safety. Arrange with people who remain at home on how you will inform them if there is a need for them to open the house for deliveries, maintenance work or repairs. Always use the same procedure and inform the companies involved that they will not gain access unless you have made a specific arrangement.

    • A watchdog is a good early warning system. Keep it visible as a deterrent but beyond the reach of strangers. The unexplainable death of a watchdog is a warning sign of a possible burglary.

    If your house alarm goes off, or you hear strange noises or your dogs bark switch on the outside lights.

    Always check the identity of strangers who visit for business purposes, to do deliveries or repairs. Ensure that you stay out of their reach to prevent being grabbed through a closed gate.

    Report suspicious characters who pose a threat to the police. When employing someone request their identity document and make a copy thereof for safekeeping. Check their previous employment references and do security clearances at the police.

    Install the best security you can afford, for example the security gates at outside doors. Keep these gates locked. If possible fix a door viewer and latch chain.

    • When approaching your house entrance by foot or by car ensure that it is safe to enter and that you have not been followed. Be aware of persons loitering at the entrance.


    • Always keep you keys safe to prevent duplication thereof. Never leave your house keys under a doormat or in a pot plant. Once you have locked your door from the inside remove the key and place it in a safe place.

    • Do not leave keys in a hidden place for domestic staff or children, robbers often stake out a house and will find out about these hiding places. Do not give keys to people who do not live on the property or to anyone if it is not absolutely necessary.

    • Know your neighbours and build a relationship of mutual trust and support. When going away inform them.

    It is always best to arrange with persons living in the same street as you to be ready at all times to come to the rescue of one another in dangerous or suspicious times. Exchange phone numbers or signalling methods when you find yourself in distress. Your strength always lies in how many people are able to support you in an emergency.

    • If you buy luxury goods, cut up the boxes and dispose of these in tied black bags- a branded box is a telltale sign of what thieves could find in your house.

    • Keep cash and valuables in banks or safes.

    • Store your firearms in a safe.

    SAPS CRIME STOP : 08600 10111 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08600 10111 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
    SAPS EMERGENCY LINE : 10111
    www.saps.gov.za
    Firearms are mentioned only once, and then the instruction is expressly to keep them stored in a safe. Now, I am aware that the person who compiled this document cannot tell a citizen when he may or may not shoot, but how on earth am I supposed to come to my neighbour's rescue without being armed? A spade? A lead pipe? What if the best security I can afford can't keep the assailants out? What does it help if I report suspicious characters who then later attack me because the police didn't show up, or answer their phones?

    My point is that even though everything mentioned above is generally good advice, it fails to provide for what you should do if these measures fail, thereby instilling a false sense of security in the unsuspecting individual. "Oh, but I did everything the police told me to but I was still robbed and murdered!" The instructions are incomplete, and therefore misleading.

    Just my 2 cents worth.

  2. #2

    Default Re: How to prevent houserobberies

    A can of worms.
    I like the post, thanx.
    "Trespassers will be welcomed, and served a light lunch"

  3. #3
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    Default Re: How to prevent houserobberies

    SAPS is between a rock and a hard place with this stuff. The hard working cops (OK not all fit that description but many do) know what the correct answers are but are prevented from saying so publically due to the government / SAPS official position on these things.

    I mean, really...to state for all to see / hear that citizens need to own and know how to use firearms because there is no way under the sun that the Police / government can 'protect' them, is, at least in the eyes of bureaucrats, a suicide wish for an agency or administration...even if it is true. (for me and many here it would be a refreshing bit of honesty, but I digress)

    What you see here is (sadly) pretty much the standard response around the world except in places like the UK where they have fainting spells if you so much as mention guns or ammunition.

    I am reminded of a true story about our old Crime Prevention Unit from years back. Two Deputies went to do a program at the clubhouse of a large block of condos, many of which were owned by older folks. They did their little song and dance...locks, Dial 911, dogs, etc. and then asked if there were any questions. One lady (maybe 70- years young) asked 'What about a gun?' The male Deputy who was there was about 6'4" 240lb. He stated the (old...not these days thank God) approved line... 'M'am you don't need a gun'...she then stated 'Well, young man. you are far larger and stronger than me, much younger and have special training...and YOU carry a gun...so why not me?'

    Brought down the house, she did!

    But her point was well made.
    Run Fast, Bite Hard!

  4. #4
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    Default Re: How to prevent houserobberies

    Thanks ikor, that was along my lines of thought as well. What frustrates me about this is that the advice is leading in the right direction, but stops far short of providing for further alternatives.

    I would have liked to see them mention "in the event that you think the current security measures are insufficient, considering firearm ownership has certain advantages and responsibilities." and then link it to a comprehensive document explaining all the ins and outs required and recommended for civilian firearm ownership.

    But, as you said, they can't exactly expressly tell everyone to become a gun owner.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: How to prevent houserobberies

    they dont seem to have a problem telling people not to arm themselves though...

  6. #6
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    Default Re: How to prevent houserobberies

    How to Prevent House Robberies:
    Give us a law that protects US when engaging a "midnight shopper" breaking and entering un-invited at 02:00.
    Allow me to protect our family without fear of being locked up and prosecuted.
    Give me a law, that if I am found to be a capable firearm owner, to have as many guns as I can afford.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: How to prevent houserobberies

    Having a close relative in the saps, we once having a family discussion with regards to fire arms,crime prevention etc. An elderly person said that's the polices job to keep us safe. The relative then laughed and stated response times and how often they get to the scene and its long over,perpetrators gone, ,his advice was to arm yourselves ,keep contact with people you can rely on should something happen,and went further as to emphasize importance of regular training .
    With regards to other measures he mentioned all the alarm systems,electric fences etc. should never lead you into a sense of "being secure". They merely a deterrent.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: How to prevent houserobberies

    Quote Originally Posted by Antlion View Post
    Having a close relative in the saps, we once having a family discussion with regards to fire arms,crime prevention etc. An elderly person said that's the polices job to keep us safe. The relative then laughed and stated response times and how often they get to the scene and its long over,perpetrators gone, ,his advice was to arm yourselves ,keep contact with people you can rely on should something happen,and went further as to emphasize importance of regular training .
    With regards to other measures he mentioned all the alarm systems,electric fences etc. should never lead you into a sense of "being secure". They merely a deterrent.
    Your relative deserves a couple of beers! Now that man speaks the truth!

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrisvw View Post
    How to Prevent House Robberies:
    Give us a law that protects US when engaging a "midnight shopper" breaking and entering un-invited at 02:00.
    Allow me to protect our family without fear of being locked up and prosecuted.
    Give me a law, that if I am found to be a capable firearm owner, to have as many guns as I can afford.
    That sounds a lot like the Castle Doctrine. It would be genuinely FANTASTIC if that could become legislation in SA.

  9. #9

    Default Re: How to prevent houserobberies

    I always grin when police issue holiday crime-prevention advice that urges us to "report suspicious-looking individuals."

    If I had to ring 10111 for every aimlessly wandering native strolling up and down my street while staring longingly at my house, they'd cut of my damn phone.

    Can you imagine me going: "There's a dude strolling past my gate for the seventh time in five minutes!!"
    Officer: "Eish, just hang on! We're sending every man we've got! And the dog unit. And air support!"

    They don't even show up for actual emergency calls -- you seriously expect them to come running because some shady-looking drifter dares to case your house? Gmff!

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