Hi all,
Came across a service on the Internet at http://www.mobilitate.co.za/ which provides for logging council related complaints and issues. They seem to have a degree of success. I would suggest register for their services and lodge your complaints accordingly. The more institutions complaints and issues are registered with the greater the chance of their resolution.
Regards,
N
15 December, 2010
09 November, 2010
2011 Census – Some Useful Tips to Protect Your Identity & Yourself
Original Title of Communications: Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson
(NL – Authenticity of this communications cannot be validated, but it is worthwhile info nevertheless)
With the South African Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 Census workers will count every person in the South Africa and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
- If a Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.
Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your identity number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the Census. (NL – They may ask configuration questions about your premises such as number of flushing toilets, running water, borehole water, etc.)
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEEDTO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.
The Census Bureau will not ask for bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.
No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau. Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the Census Bureau.
NL – For more info click here: http://www.statssa.gov.za/census2011/index.asp
05 November, 2010
Scam Artist on Gondola Ave
Hi all,
My neighbour Roland, on Gondola Ave, has just informed me of a scam artist operating in our suburb. Recently Roland did some minor construction work at his house, and as a result some building rubble remained. This rubble was being temporarily stored in front of his house.
Yesterday a man arrived offering Roland to remove the rubble at a cost of R200-00. Roland agreed to this and the man loaded up the rubble to take it away. Later it was discovered that the man simply took the rubble across the road and dumped it in Maiden Park on the corner of Gondola and Maiden Streets. Needless to say dumping in a park is illegal, and secondly, this man is out to make a quick illegal buck. Obviously Roland has committed to removing the rubble, which will result in his incurring additional costs.
The number of the vehicle wasn't obtained, so if anyone can provide more info, then please email me.
On a positive note, I reported the incident to our Sector 1 Patrol vehicle. The constable on duty was extremely friendly and proficient and took down the necessary details. He also confirmed that he would drive by and keep an eye out for any illegal dumping or a bakkie that is carry building rubble.
So please be on the lookout for these scamsters. Don't confront them, but try get and their details.
Norwin
02 November, 2010
Fridge Poster
Print out this fridge poster and place it somewhere for all in your household / business to see.
19 October, 2010
17 October, 2010
Follow-up Letter on Randburg Sun Article re: Speed Bumps
I have to agree with Dr W Boshoff who submitted this letter to the Randburg Sun in response to the article relating to Speed Bumps of 08.09.2010. I too was quite shocked by Ward Councillor Don Forbes' apathy on the matter, and furthermore, the fact that he was aware of the problem, but not addressing it (as yet), apparently.
(Click on article to enlarge)
12 October, 2010
Next CPF Meeting - November 9
Email from Linden SAPS Admin: 12.10.2010:
The next CPF Meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 November from 6pm.
During the last two months Sectors 1, 2 and 3 have all successfully launched their sectors and Sector 4 is underway. The next CPF meeting will however be held in November to give sectors more time to mobilise and organise.
The November CPF meeting will primarily focus on a review of each sector. Each sector team is asked to present a summary outline of the status and plans for the sector.
The provincial commissioner, Mzwandile Petros has been invited to attend the November Linden CPF meeting. We await confirmation.
The CPF executive is available should sectors require any additional assistance in getting the sectors going. Please call or send an email to admin@lindensaps.co.za
Sector emails have been established should communities want more information on the sector:
The next CPF Meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 November from 6pm.
Linden Community Police Forum
08 October, 2010
Sector Policing Is Here!
Introduction to Sector Policing
On Monday evening (04.10.2010) I attended the Linden Community Policing Forum Sector 3 inception meeting. It was well attended by representatives from Sector 3. Despite the fact that we (RERA) now fall into Sector 1, this meeting was still very valuable. The change of Robindale East from Sector 3 to Sector 1 took place at a prior meeting, to which we were not invited. The rational for this is included in a prior posting (see here http://robindale-east.blogspot.com/2010/10/robindale-included-in-sector-1-of.html).
At the commencement of the meeting we were introduced to a number of role-players, as follows:
• Colonel Mohale (Station Commander)
• Captain Vermaak (Head of Crime Prevention and Sector Policing)
• Jadd Harding (Chairman of the Linden Community Policing Forum / LCPF)
• George Bezuidenhout (Head of Reservists)
• Shaun Scott (Vice-Chairman of the Linden Community Policing Forum / LCPF)
• WO Bokkie Kildare (Head of Sector 3)
• WO Walter Spencer (Head of Sector 1)
• Martin Opperman (who arranged these meetings – thank you)
Please note: apologies for spelling or inaccuracies, as I didn’t get all the details.
Colonel Mohale was introduced by Martin Opperman. The Colonel did a brief introduction, stating that Sector Policing:
• Is about sub-dividing the precinct into more manageable, smaller, units
• Understanding what the community requires from SAPS
• SAPS cannot meet everyone in the community, hence the need for champions who can speak on behalf of the community
• Sector Heads have the same powers as the Colonel, for their particular Sector
Captain Vermaak then addressed the community and introduced himself. He has been in the area for 23 years, 7 of which have been at Linden SAPS, and is passionate about Sector Policing. It is not a new concept and seems to have its origins in the USA c1986. In 2003 a National Instruction relating to Sector Policing was drafted but it was never approved. In 2009, it was approved as National Instruction (3 of 2009), and subsequently its execution and deployed commenced. It is a strategic intent to address crime, as part of the national objective to reduce crime by 50% in 5 years.
Implementing Sector Policing at Linden CPF
The first steps at Linden SAPS to deploying Sector Policing was to implement the necessary staffing structures, which is now complete, albeit with a number of vacancies (projected to be 27 based on current strategies and statistics). Furthermore, projects and programmes to address root causes have been implemented and are underway – these have been prioritised and will remain in force.
The benefits of Sector Policing, Captain Vermaak went on to say, was that the National Instruction gives legal substance to addressing and preventing crime, and, very importantly, budget has been allocated for this purpose. Furthermore, he suggested that large business should become involved in these initiatives (in Sector 1 we have MNet and Roche, as well as a number of other smaller enterprises).
It is important to note, Captain Vermaak stated, that Sector Policing is not politically motivated. The local councillor does not have jurisdiction over Sector Policing – a ward committee is already in place to address matters relating to politics.
Operation of the Sector
Each Sector will have a constitution relative to that Sector, and a team, from the community, will be appointed to mobilise in that Sector. Team members will participate in operational activities, the mobilisation of fellow community members, as well as be willing to participate. A key ingredient from the community is creativity in addressing and preventing crime. Captain Vermaak stated that many of the pre-existing tactics may no longer be effective or suitable, hence the community providing inputs.
The success of Sector Policing lies in addressing localized problems with tactics suitable to that community. For example, Capt Vermaak stated that the approach and tactics employed in Windsor would not be suitable in another suburb like Robindale. The role of Sector Policing is to work closely with the Sector community to define and deploy suitable tactics for addressing localized issues. Additionally, the Sector must collaborate with other government agencies and role-players in addressing matters affecting the community. An example that was cited was blocking a liquor license from being approved in a certain neighbourhood. It is not SAPS’ role to prevent the issue of liquor licenses.
Community Involvement
Before going onto the protocols and appointment of champions (for Sector 3), Captain Vermaak reiterated the need for people to become champions and involved. Sector 3, like our area, is victim to apathy of the residents, not wishing to get involved. I have personally witnessed the apathy in our area, having on numerous occasions dropped pamphlets in post boxes in my streets with approximately 2 responses out of 60 pamphlets! The moment there is an incident, however, there is a massive outcry – its too late then!
Reporting Protocol
The following reporting protocol for crime incidents has been estabaloished as part of Sector Policing:
1st. Press your panic button to alert your security company – and then . . .
2nd. Call the your security service provider’s call centre – and then . . .
3rd. Call the Patrol Vehicle assigned to your Sector (numbers listed below) – and then . . .
4th. Call 10111
It was strongly requested that you do not contact the station directly – Linden SAPS does not have a fully fledged call centre. Some additional items to note is that 10111 receives 3000 calls per hour. If you contact them from your landline (as opposed to from your mobile), your address immediately becomes available to them.
What To Report
In terms of the reporting protocol noted above, it is important to determine what should be reported. Any offences or crimes related to the by-laws, such as damage to public trees (for example the municipal trees on your pavement or trees in parks) noise, litter, traffic, etc. are not to be reported to the Sector Patrol vehicle. These offences fall under the jurisdiction of the JMPD, and should be reported to them accordingly.
However, anything relating to a crime such a burglary, theft, robbery, murder, serious assault, rape, hi-jacking, etc. must be reported to the Sector Patrol vehicle, even if it is after the event.
It is also important to note that attempted crimes must be reported to the Sector Patrol Vehicle. For example, wall hoppings MUST be reported, even if you feel that no crime was perpetrated. Capt. Vermaak explained that if all wall hoppings are reported upon, then patterns can be established, and from these patterns crimes can be prevented. He went on to explain that if crimes, attempted crimes and suspicious behaviour are not reported, it could have a direct impact on the Linden SAPS’ budget and resourcing, as it would then appear that the neighbourhood has a ‘clean bill of health’ and doesn’t require more resources. In closing Capt. Vermaak stated that you should rather report the incident to the Sector Patrol Vehicle and let SAPS decide if it is significant enough to report on.
Sector Patrol Vehicles’ Contact Numbers
Please be advised that these numbers are not active as yet, but take note of them in the interim:
• Sector 1 – 071 675 6044
• Sector 2 – 071 675 6047
• Sector 3 – 071 675 6049
• Sector 4 – 071 675 6050
Champions for Sector 1
The champions for Sector 1 have not been fully finalised, owing to the recent changes in the demarcations. A meeting is being proposed for 14.10.2010 at 9:30, at Linden SAPS for determining the Sector 1 Champions. I realise this is during office hours, however I urge you to try attend. I have put my name forward as a champion already.
On Monday evening (04.10.2010) I attended the Linden Community Policing Forum Sector 3 inception meeting. It was well attended by representatives from Sector 3. Despite the fact that we (RERA) now fall into Sector 1, this meeting was still very valuable. The change of Robindale East from Sector 3 to Sector 1 took place at a prior meeting, to which we were not invited. The rational for this is included in a prior posting (see here http://robindale-east.blogspot.com/2010/10/robindale-included-in-sector-1-of.html).
At the commencement of the meeting we were introduced to a number of role-players, as follows:
• Colonel Mohale (Station Commander)
• Captain Vermaak (Head of Crime Prevention and Sector Policing)
• Jadd Harding (Chairman of the Linden Community Policing Forum / LCPF)
• George Bezuidenhout (Head of Reservists)
• Shaun Scott (Vice-Chairman of the Linden Community Policing Forum / LCPF)
• WO Bokkie Kildare (Head of Sector 3)
• WO Walter Spencer (Head of Sector 1)
• Martin Opperman (who arranged these meetings – thank you)
Please note: apologies for spelling or inaccuracies, as I didn’t get all the details.
Colonel Mohale was introduced by Martin Opperman. The Colonel did a brief introduction, stating that Sector Policing:
• Is about sub-dividing the precinct into more manageable, smaller, units
• Understanding what the community requires from SAPS
• SAPS cannot meet everyone in the community, hence the need for champions who can speak on behalf of the community
• Sector Heads have the same powers as the Colonel, for their particular Sector
Captain Vermaak then addressed the community and introduced himself. He has been in the area for 23 years, 7 of which have been at Linden SAPS, and is passionate about Sector Policing. It is not a new concept and seems to have its origins in the USA c1986. In 2003 a National Instruction relating to Sector Policing was drafted but it was never approved. In 2009, it was approved as National Instruction (3 of 2009), and subsequently its execution and deployed commenced. It is a strategic intent to address crime, as part of the national objective to reduce crime by 50% in 5 years.
Implementing Sector Policing at Linden CPF
The first steps at Linden SAPS to deploying Sector Policing was to implement the necessary staffing structures, which is now complete, albeit with a number of vacancies (projected to be 27 based on current strategies and statistics). Furthermore, projects and programmes to address root causes have been implemented and are underway – these have been prioritised and will remain in force.
The benefits of Sector Policing, Captain Vermaak went on to say, was that the National Instruction gives legal substance to addressing and preventing crime, and, very importantly, budget has been allocated for this purpose. Furthermore, he suggested that large business should become involved in these initiatives (in Sector 1 we have MNet and Roche, as well as a number of other smaller enterprises).
It is important to note, Captain Vermaak stated, that Sector Policing is not politically motivated. The local councillor does not have jurisdiction over Sector Policing – a ward committee is already in place to address matters relating to politics.
Operation of the Sector
Each Sector will have a constitution relative to that Sector, and a team, from the community, will be appointed to mobilise in that Sector. Team members will participate in operational activities, the mobilisation of fellow community members, as well as be willing to participate. A key ingredient from the community is creativity in addressing and preventing crime. Captain Vermaak stated that many of the pre-existing tactics may no longer be effective or suitable, hence the community providing inputs.
The success of Sector Policing lies in addressing localized problems with tactics suitable to that community. For example, Capt Vermaak stated that the approach and tactics employed in Windsor would not be suitable in another suburb like Robindale. The role of Sector Policing is to work closely with the Sector community to define and deploy suitable tactics for addressing localized issues. Additionally, the Sector must collaborate with other government agencies and role-players in addressing matters affecting the community. An example that was cited was blocking a liquor license from being approved in a certain neighbourhood. It is not SAPS’ role to prevent the issue of liquor licenses.
Community Involvement
Before going onto the protocols and appointment of champions (for Sector 3), Captain Vermaak reiterated the need for people to become champions and involved. Sector 3, like our area, is victim to apathy of the residents, not wishing to get involved. I have personally witnessed the apathy in our area, having on numerous occasions dropped pamphlets in post boxes in my streets with approximately 2 responses out of 60 pamphlets! The moment there is an incident, however, there is a massive outcry – its too late then!
Reporting Protocol
The following reporting protocol for crime incidents has been estabaloished as part of Sector Policing:
1st. Press your panic button to alert your security company – and then . . .
2nd. Call the your security service provider’s call centre – and then . . .
3rd. Call the Patrol Vehicle assigned to your Sector (numbers listed below) – and then . . .
4th. Call 10111
It was strongly requested that you do not contact the station directly – Linden SAPS does not have a fully fledged call centre. Some additional items to note is that 10111 receives 3000 calls per hour. If you contact them from your landline (as opposed to from your mobile), your address immediately becomes available to them.
What To Report
In terms of the reporting protocol noted above, it is important to determine what should be reported. Any offences or crimes related to the by-laws, such as damage to public trees (for example the municipal trees on your pavement or trees in parks) noise, litter, traffic, etc. are not to be reported to the Sector Patrol vehicle. These offences fall under the jurisdiction of the JMPD, and should be reported to them accordingly.
However, anything relating to a crime such a burglary, theft, robbery, murder, serious assault, rape, hi-jacking, etc. must be reported to the Sector Patrol vehicle, even if it is after the event.
It is also important to note that attempted crimes must be reported to the Sector Patrol Vehicle. For example, wall hoppings MUST be reported, even if you feel that no crime was perpetrated. Capt. Vermaak explained that if all wall hoppings are reported upon, then patterns can be established, and from these patterns crimes can be prevented. He went on to explain that if crimes, attempted crimes and suspicious behaviour are not reported, it could have a direct impact on the Linden SAPS’ budget and resourcing, as it would then appear that the neighbourhood has a ‘clean bill of health’ and doesn’t require more resources. In closing Capt. Vermaak stated that you should rather report the incident to the Sector Patrol Vehicle and let SAPS decide if it is significant enough to report on.
Sector Patrol Vehicles’ Contact Numbers
Please be advised that these numbers are not active as yet, but take note of them in the interim:
• Sector 1 – 071 675 6044
• Sector 2 – 071 675 6047
• Sector 3 – 071 675 6049
• Sector 4 – 071 675 6050
Champions for Sector 1
The champions for Sector 1 have not been fully finalised, owing to the recent changes in the demarcations. A meeting is being proposed for 14.10.2010 at 9:30, at Linden SAPS for determining the Sector 1 Champions. I realise this is during office hours, however I urge you to try attend. I have put my name forward as a champion already.
07 October, 2010
Robindale included in Sector 1 of Sector Policing Initiative
Hi all,
Initially Robindale was included in Sector 3, however we've now been included in Sector 1. Below is the rationalle via an email from Shaun dated 29.09.2010. The image outlines Sector 1.
Regards,
Norwin
Dear Norwin, Gerald, Phillip, Sanet, Christo and other resident coordinators in Robindale East of Malibongwe
You may have picked up earlier emails about the implementation of Sectors in the Linden Precinct. This started early in September and will continue in the next few months.
The area North of Boundary between Malibongwe and Bram Fischer has had a mixed past in terms of sectors. It has been part of Sectors 1, 2 or 3 depending on who one spoke to and which map was referred to.
Captain Vermaak today clarified this with the Sector Commanders and the CPF and has proposed that the area should form part of Sector 1. Making this part of Sector 1 does not impact or split any resident associations (as far as we know) and can possibly help to forge greater cooperation in this area. The Robins Ratepayers and Resident Association (RRRA) has always considered the eastern boundary to be Malibongwe Drive and have never had interaction with the Robins on the “other side” of Malibongwe. Whilst the RRRA is one of the oldest associations in the area, they are quite big and at the moment have been challenged in accommodating the many streets in their area. It would not make sense to try incorporate this area into the RRRA area (within Sector 3 which extends to the N1 highway).
Sector 1 includes the large suburb of Blairgowrie but also includes the suburbs of Robin Acres. President Ridge and Ferndale between Bram Fischer, Malibongwe and Republic. It makes sense to keep these areas within the same block and given the relative size of each Sector, it makes sense to make this entire block (Boundary, Bram Fischer, Republic and Malibongwe) part of Sector 1.
Sector 1 had an initial planning meeting early in September. At the time we understood that you would form part of either Sector 2 or 3. We apologise for this but believe the change is in the interest of your communities. There is a Sector 3 meeting planned for Monday 4 October where the sector concept will again be explained and the different sector team members will be introduced and you are all invited to please attend (Monday 6.30pm at the Fontainebleau Community Church on Rabie). We will advise you on the next Sector 1 meeting but please attend the Sector 3 meeting next week in the interim
Attached is an initial map put together to show the borders in this area.
The Sector commander for Sector 1 is Warrant Officer Spencer (XXX XXX XXX excluded for purposes of privacy NL). He is one of the more experienced, passionate and dedicated officers in the Linden Precinct. With your permission, I will give your contact details to WO Spencer so he can contact you and get to know your area and yourselves.
Please do not hesitate to contact myself or any of the CPF Executives should you have any questions.
Best regards
Shaun Scott for the Linden CPF
Initially Robindale was included in Sector 3, however we've now been included in Sector 1. Below is the rationalle via an email from Shaun dated 29.09.2010. The image outlines Sector 1.
Regards,
Norwin
Dear Norwin, Gerald, Phillip, Sanet, Christo and other resident coordinators in Robindale East of Malibongwe
You may have picked up earlier emails about the implementation of Sectors in the Linden Precinct. This started early in September and will continue in the next few months.
The area North of Boundary between Malibongwe and Bram Fischer has had a mixed past in terms of sectors. It has been part of Sectors 1, 2 or 3 depending on who one spoke to and which map was referred to.
Captain Vermaak today clarified this with the Sector Commanders and the CPF and has proposed that the area should form part of Sector 1. Making this part of Sector 1 does not impact or split any resident associations (as far as we know) and can possibly help to forge greater cooperation in this area. The Robins Ratepayers and Resident Association (RRRA) has always considered the eastern boundary to be Malibongwe Drive and have never had interaction with the Robins on the “other side” of Malibongwe. Whilst the RRRA is one of the oldest associations in the area, they are quite big and at the moment have been challenged in accommodating the many streets in their area. It would not make sense to try incorporate this area into the RRRA area (within Sector 3 which extends to the N1 highway).
Sector 1 includes the large suburb of Blairgowrie but also includes the suburbs of Robin Acres. President Ridge and Ferndale between Bram Fischer, Malibongwe and Republic. It makes sense to keep these areas within the same block and given the relative size of each Sector, it makes sense to make this entire block (Boundary, Bram Fischer, Republic and Malibongwe) part of Sector 1.
Sector 1 had an initial planning meeting early in September. At the time we understood that you would form part of either Sector 2 or 3. We apologise for this but believe the change is in the interest of your communities. There is a Sector 3 meeting planned for Monday 4 October where the sector concept will again be explained and the different sector team members will be introduced and you are all invited to please attend (Monday 6.30pm at the Fontainebleau Community Church on Rabie). We will advise you on the next Sector 1 meeting but please attend the Sector 3 meeting next week in the interim
Attached is an initial map put together to show the borders in this area.
The Sector commander for Sector 1 is Warrant Officer Spencer (XXX XXX XXX excluded for purposes of privacy NL). He is one of the more experienced, passionate and dedicated officers in the Linden Precinct. With your permission, I will give your contact details to WO Spencer so he can contact you and get to know your area and yourselves.
Please do not hesitate to contact myself or any of the CPF Executives should you have any questions.
Best regards
Shaun Scott for the Linden CPF
Planned Power Outage - 10.10.2010
Please see attached noticed w.r.t. a planned outage on 10.10.2010 from 05:00 to 19:00.
17 September, 2010
Randburg Sun Article of Accident on Gondola Ave on 08.09.2010
The Randburg Sun has published an article relating to the accident that occured on the morning of 08.09.2010 on Gondola Ave., where a pedestrian was run over. Unfortuantely the article's facts are not 100% correct, but the message is loud and clear. Click here to read article or turn to page 6 of Randburg Sun for the week ending 19.09.2010.
Understanding and Preventing Home Invasion in South Africa
About the author
Rudolph Zinn, a former detective, worked in various capacities in the South African Police Service before he joined the academic world. He is currently a senior lecturer at the School of Criminal Justice and Police Practice at the University of South Africa (Unisa). This book is based on research he did for his PhD which he obtained from Unisa in 2008.
Zinn served as an advisor in the training of the Scorpions, the Malawian Anti-Corruption Unit as well as several other law enforcement units. He has also initiated and organised a series of World Conferences on Modern Criminal Investigation, Organised Crime and Human Rights.
Book details
Home Invasion: Robbers Disclose What You Should Know by Rudolph Zinn
EAN: 9780624048749 Available at kalahari.net. Click here.
1. Introduction
This document contains the key findings of researched conducted for his PhD by Professor Rudolph Zinn, senior lecturer in Forensic and Crime investigation at the University of South Africa. Most of the information comes from a book launched at the IS Pretoria office on 19 May 2010 titled “Home Invasion. Robbers disclose what you should know.” The book is currently available at various book stores across South Africa.
The primary objective of the research was to establish the type of crime intelligence that could be obtained by the police from convicted and incarcerated perpetrators of residential robbery. Similar research has guided intelligence-led policing utilised in a variety of countries including the UK, the USA, Netherlands and Germany. The premise of the research is that focused, intelligence guided policing results in a more efficient and effective utilisation of police resources in combating and reducing crime than ordinary visible policing tactics. Intelligence led policing therefore focuses on combating and reducing crime through understanding and identifying the perpetrators of as opposed to for example relying primarily on high police visibility operations in crime hot-spots.
Currently, this approach is not being utilised sufficiently in South Africa which limited he extent to which the South African Police Service has been able to effectively takcle violent organised crime. The research was undertaken with the intention of demonstrating its utility to the South African Police Services Crime Intelligence and Investigative components. Fortunately, according to Professor Zinn, the SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit have resopnded favourably to the research findings and are implementing a number of its recommendations.
2. Methodology
The research was based on in-depth interviews with 30 perpetrators who were convicted and incarcerated for the crime of “aggravated robbery.” Please note that there is no legal crime in South Africa defined as “residential robbery”. To identify the research subjects, the researcher was given a list of names of prisoners convicted for aggravated robbery and went from cell to cell looking for those that had been convicted specifically for residential robbery. The research subjects volunteered to be interviewed and they were subject to 116 structured and open-ended questions. The focus of the research was on the inmates of the six largest prisons in Gauteng as they house 86% of all prisoners who have been convicted for aggravated robbery in the province.
It must stated that the statistics to emerged from the research are not necessarily generalisable to all perpetrators or all instances of residential robbery. The statistics only refer to the sample of 30 research subjects stated during the interviews with them. It is important not interpret the findings in a general way such as “X% of all house robbers do the following …” or “In Y% of all house robberies ….” This was a qualitative study an its utility was to allow for a better understading of the profile, motivation and modus operandi of perpetrators of residential robberies. While the research is therefore not necessarily generalisable, it does provide useful insights into how they plan and carry out attacks and what can be done to enhance protective or preventative measures so as to avoid becoming a victim.
3. The Profile of Residential Robbery Perpetrators
The 30 research subjects interviewed conformed to the following broad profile:
• All were males except for two females who were convicted as being accessories to the crime rather than the primary instigators.
• They were representative of South Africa’s racial demographic profile;
• 83% were South African citizens with the remaining 17% holding the citizenship of other African countries.
• The subjects were between the ages of 19 and 26 years old;
• On average they would form a group of four people when attacking a household;
• Only 20% had completed high school to grade 12 and none had further teritary education.
• 76% were unemployed but a number of these had left employment to make money solely from robbery;
• 80% had not received any type of military or security related training. The remaining 20% that had received such training had either been employed as security guards or were foreign nationals who had worked in the police or military of their home countries.
• All were experienced criminals and had committed a number of other crimes before deciding to target households for robbery;
• On average each perpetrator admitted to having committed 103 crimes (including crimes other than robberies) over a seven year period before being arrested for the first time.
• 70% came from what was described as dysfunctional or “boken” homes.
• Given the nature of the crime, a distinctive characteristic of house robbers is the willingness to use lethal violence against victims. Most people who fit the same general profile (e.g. young, unemployed, from dysnfunctional families), do not commit violent crime.
4. Motivation for Involvement in Residential Robberies
• 97% of the perpetrators in the study stated that the primary motivating factor for becoming involved in this type of crime was “economic gain”;
• 22% of the perpetrators had also committed “farm attacks” (which are considered no differently as robberies of other types of residences by the perpetrators).
• 65% of what was stolen was spent on “cars, clothes, drugs, and alcohol.”
• 35% of what was stolen was spent on “survival” (i.e. food and rent);
• The victims were targeted because of their wealth. Other demographical factors suh as race played no part in decisions of the perpetrators to target specific households;
• A contributory factor was the existence of role-models in their communities who were criminals and were wealthy because of criminal activities. These individuals are well known and generally respected in their communities.
• 80% of the perpetrators in the study stated that their families, friends and acquaintances in their communities knew that they were involved in crime to make a living. This indicates a high tolerance for criminality in the communities from where they came.
• Residential robbery was chosen as a particular crime to become involved in because it resulted in more money more quickly than other types of crime and chances of being caught were seen as very low.
• All the perpetrators started with non-violent property crimes (i.e. theft) before progressing to violent crimes (i.e. robberies).
5. Choosing a Target
• 63% of the perpetrators in the study would prefer to travel between 10 and 30 minutes by vehicle from where they lived to commit a residential robbery. However, most would travel for much longer time periods if the target was deemed lucrative enough.
• 77% of the perpetrators stated that they chose targets for which they had some ‘inside information.’ For example, they would be able to get information about a particular house from domestic workers, gardeners or other service providers including security guards (or from the relatives or acquaintances of these people).
• Some perpetrators know people who make a living through burglary and will get information on specific houses from them.
• Generally, perpetrators would prefer to choose targets in neighbourhoods that had many entrance and exit points with easy access to main roads and where street security was low or non-existent.
• However, only 25% of the perpetrators in the research stated that they deliberately chose a house because it had low security. Rather, targets were chosen because they had reasonable information or suspicion that there would be much of value to steal once they had gained access to the property.
• The perpetrators in this study stated that they would tend to focus on what they termed as the “middle class.” However, this term was used quite broadly to talk about anyone who had relative wealth. Sometimes people with expensive jewellery, clothes or other visible signs of affluence would be followed home with the assumption that they would have expensive possessions in their residences.
6. Planning and Executing a Residential Robbery
• All perpetrators stated that they would spend some time prior to the attack doing surveillance on the targeted residence. In some cases this could be as little as 30 minutes prior to the attack and in other cases up to two weeks. The purpose of the surveillance is to orientate the perpetrators to the layout and types of neighbourhood and household security measures the habits and patterns of the residents.
• A majority of the perpetrators (57%) stated that they preferred to carry out residential robberies between 19h00 and 24h00 in the evening. This was when most people are at home, have disabled alarm systems and opened doors and windows. Also it is a time when there is noise from televisions and radios which will provide the perpetrators with some level of cover to allow them to take the victims by surprise.
• 14% of the perpetrators also attacked houses between 03h00 and 07h00 in the morning as it was quiet, the neighbours would be asleep or not paying particular attention and they would not be disturbed by visitors to the house.
• 7% stated that they also attacked houses between 10h00 and 12h00 in the mid-to late mornings. This was when domestic workers would be in the house, doors would be open, alarms would also be turned off and there would be the relative cover of noise.
• The most common way to access a property was to ‘break-in’ by forcing locks on gates or doors, breaking windows or disabling electric fences and climbing over the walls.
• Some of the perpetrators used exceptions to this by attacking houses where there were social functions as they could simply walk through gates or doors that were left open. In some cases the perpetrators would wait for the residents to leave or arrive home and attack them in the driveway before forcing them inside the house.
• Before breaking into the house, the perpetrators stated that they would try and identify the numbers and locations of everyone who was in the house. They would typically do this during the pre-attack surveillance and once they were in the property, by peering though windows preferably under the cover of darkness.
• The purpose of doing this is to surprise all the residents at once so that they do not have time to take defensive action such as raising the alarm or acquiring a weapon.
• Perpetrators in this study would spend anywhere between 30 minutes and four hours inside a house once they had successfully subdued the residents.
7. The Use of Violence in Robberies
• All perpetrators stated that they used violence or the threat of violence when entering a residence to overcome resistance from the victims.
• To assist in this 97% of the perpetrators in this study used firearms when they committed robberies.
• They preferred pistols as these were easy to conceal before and after the robbery. In addition the perpetrators liked pistols because of the sound the weapon made when ‘cocking’ it as this could also be used to intimidate victims.
• During the residential robbery, 67% of the perpetrators admitted committing assault, 30% admitted to committing murder, 13% admitted to committing rape and 13% admitted to torturing victims during a residential robbery. (Please note, this does not mean that people are murdered in 30% of residential robberies. Only that 30% of this sample admitted to having committed at least one murder in their lifetime. Statistics from an SAPS docket analysis in relation to violence associated with residential robberies is provided at the end of this document).
• According to these perpetrators, the use of torture was to force the victims to reveal the whereabouts of valuables in the house such as cash, firearms or jewellery.
• The torture most frequently mentioned consists of pouring boiling water or melted plastic on the victims or burning them with household instruments (e.g. an iron).
• The perpetrators in the study stated that they would most likely target women or children for torture during a robbery to force the male or adult to provide the information they required.
8. Preventing or Minimising the Risk of Residential Robberies
The research found that community crime prevention initiatives could make a difference in reducing the risk of a certain area becoming targeted by perpetrators of house robberies. For example regular neighbourhood watch schemes, random community patrol initiatives, or guards stationed at street corners who are linked by radio communication will make a certain community less attractive to criminals. For example, in the police precinct of Garsfontein certain suburbs recorded a decrease of 36.5% in residential robberies during the 2007/08 financial year following community based crime prevention initiatives. This was at a time when residential robberies were increasing substantially across the country.
The research also sought to identify measures that could be taken by people to minimise the risk of their particular residence becoming a target. The perpetrators were asked about the things that would make them hesitate to target a house or that would make it difficult for them to access a house. They generally answered that if the reward was big enough nothing could keep them from attacking a house. Nevertheless, there were factors that would make their lives difficult and could hamper their attack on a house. Out of 119 different answers that were given, the most frequently mentioned preventative measures in order of effectiveness were stated as follows:
• The presence of a number of small dogs inside the house that will bark when they become aware of suspicious activity outside. Teach any dogs not to take food from strangers as perpetrators will not hesitate to poison a dog to neutralise it as a threat.
• Razor wire or electric security fences around the entire perimeter of the house. Beware of an electric fence alarm repeatedly going off as this could be caused by perpetrators deliberately causing a short circuit to the fence in order to get the residents to turn the fence off.
• Pre-warning alarm systems such as security alarm sensors in the garden, along the outside walls, on the roof and in the ceiling. Alarm systems in garages or storerooms will make perpetrators lives difficult as they generally do not carry housebreaking tools with them. Usually break into a garage or tool shed first to get what they need to force the locks or break the windows of a house.
• An effective armed response service;
• There is an ‘open view’ into the house or garden from the street or a neighbouring property. This means that the perpetrator could be seen by a neighbour or a person in the street;
• Security lights that make it difficult to move around the outside of the house at night without being seen, especially sensor lights in front of bedrooms;
• CCTV systems and an intercom system for speaking to people who are outside of the property;
• Layers of security as opposed to a single security system;
• Strong doors and security gates with good quality locks;
• Door alarms that are activated when residents are at home;
• Curtains are drawn at night which prevent perpetrators from identifying the movement and location of the residents in the house;
• The existence of a “secure room” within the house where residents are able to escape to once they are aware of an attack.
• Panic buttons should be placed where residents are most likely to need them. Apart from doorways, these devices should be kept in places where residents will be able to access them in places where they are likely to be held during the robbery. For instance in the lounge under chairs or tables, under beds in bedrooms, in bathrooms as people are often locked in bathrooms and bedrooms during a robbery.
• Always check of signs of a forced entry when entering or leaving your home;
• Keep a copy of the ID Book of any employees who have access to or work at the house including names and contact details of their relatives.
In analysing the responses, the researcher found that out of all the measures that would hinder a house robber, 68% of them refer to securing the outer-perimeter of house and garden while 32% refer to internal security systems. This is because once the perpetrators have managed to get close to the house, the advantage they have in terms of the element of surprise leaves the residents with fewer defensive options. However, if the residents are alerted to a person jumping over their wall, they will have time to lock doors and raise the alarm.
9. Minimising Personal Risk during a Robbery
If the perpetrators manage to evade external security measures and are able to get access to the house, the behaviour of the residents then becomes very important if they are to survive the incident without harm. Most serious injuries and fatalities in residential robberies occur during the initial phase and are often linked to the attempts of the victims to resist the attackers. All perpetrators in the study stated that they would rather shoot a person than expose themselves to risk of injury during a house robbery.
As the first phase of the attack is the most dangerous from the point of view of the perpetrator, it is during this time that they are most adrenalised and are prone to acting on the spur of the moment. According to the perpetrators in the study, the victims of a robbery should do the following if they are confronted in their home to minimise the changes of being shot or seriously assaulted:
• You should not move when you see a stranger holding a gun.
• Any sudden movement or noise could lead to the perpetrator thinking that the resident is trying to take defensive action and it could result in a violent response including being shot at.
• Remain calm and do not make a noise;
• Keep your hands visible, but do not raise them above your head as this may be mistaken by the perpetrator as an attempt to signal help;
• Demonstrate willingness to cooperate by either pleading for your life, or asking not to be hurt and saying that they can take what they want
10. Key lessons for the Police
It is very difficult for the police to prevent residential robberies through regular policing tactics as the perpetrators plan their attacks very carefully. More organised perpetrators will assess the policing of a particular area as part of their surveillance to establish the risk that they face if they commit a robbery there. They may also have a sense of the reaction time of the police in a particular locality through their own or others previous experience of committing a serious crime that was reported to the police.
Nevertheless, 68% of the perpetrators in the study stated that frequent and random police patrols would be a deterrent to them from targeting houses in a particular area. This supports the tactic of increasing visible policing patrols and roadblocks during hot-spot areas and times (Fridays through Sundays from 18h00 to 24h00) to reduce the incidents of residential robberies in particular geographical areas. However, this will not necessarily drive down the overall rate of residential robberies as the perpetrators will adjust their tactics to evade the police. In this way, visible policing is more likely to displace the crime of residential robbery to different areas and times as opposed to preventing it.
The best way for the police to prevent residential robberies is to identify, arrest and support the prosecution of the perpetrators to increase their risks of going to prison. If increasing numbers of perpetrators are locked up, fewer perpetrators will be around to commit these crimes and fewer people will be willing to take on the risks of becoming involved in this type of crime as a way of making a living. This will result in the numbers of robberies decreasing which will in turn build community trust in the police, which again will increase the ability of the police to tackle other crimes.
For the police to ensure that perpetrators are sent to prison, the necessary resources will have to be made available for the police to:
• Identify and arrest perpetrators; and
• Support the successful prosecution of perpetrators.
This requires prioritising and strengthening the quality and capacity of police crime intelligence and the detectives tasked with investigating residential robberies.
The study focused particularly on the type of crime intelligence that the incarcerated could provide the police to assist them in tacking residential robberies. It found that there is a good “window period” for obtaining significant intelligence from convicted robbers.
At this time they are willing to provide detailed intelligence on other perpetrators and syndicates for relatively small improvements in their personal situation. According to the research, this includes for instance that their cooperation with the police is considered favourably when they come up for parole. They would also be willing to provide information for improvements in privileges such as more credit at the prison canteen, better prison duties etc. This would not be too onerous to achieve when compared to the valuable information that could be provided to the police about the networks who are involved in committing and supporting aggravated robbery.
Conclusion
The research conducted by Dr Zinn provides the most detailed insight into the perpetrators of residential robberies that is available to date. As it was mentioned earlier on this document, the statistics may not be generalisable to the entire population of perpetrators and so it shouldn’t be interpreted as such. For example, although 30 % of the perpetrators in this study admitted to committing murder during a residential robbery, an analysis of 1000 dockets undertaken by the SAPS found the following:
• Murder occurred in two percent of the incidents;
• Rape was reported in four percent of the incidents;
• Attempted murders were reported in nine percent of incidents;
• Some form of injury was reported in 13% of incidents.
This means that in a vast majority of residential robberies, the victims are left physically unharmed. Nevertheless, each incident of residential robbery is extemely traumatic for the victim because of the heightened potential for being murdered, raped or serious injured. This crime category (along with robbery in general), is therefore responsible for driving the high levels of fear and dissatisfaction with the police according to victimisation surveys.
For additional information and statistics on residential robberies and government initiatives to combat it, see the following articles on the ISS website:
• “Reclaiming our homes? Tackling residential robbery in Gauteng.” SA Crime Quarterly No 23. March 2008
• “Cops and robbers. A new approach.” SA Crime Quartelry No. 29. September 2009
For any queries please contact:
Gareth Newham
Programme Head: Crime and Justice Programme
Institute for Security Studies / Institut d'Études de Sécurité
Head Office / Sige principal
Tshwane (Pretoria)
South Africa / Afrique du Sud
Tel: +27 12 346 9500
Fax (office): +27 12 346 4569
Mobile: +27 82 887 1557
email: gnewham@issafrica.org
Rudolph Zinn, a former detective, worked in various capacities in the South African Police Service before he joined the academic world. He is currently a senior lecturer at the School of Criminal Justice and Police Practice at the University of South Africa (Unisa). This book is based on research he did for his PhD which he obtained from Unisa in 2008.
Zinn served as an advisor in the training of the Scorpions, the Malawian Anti-Corruption Unit as well as several other law enforcement units. He has also initiated and organised a series of World Conferences on Modern Criminal Investigation, Organised Crime and Human Rights.
Book details
Home Invasion: Robbers Disclose What You Should Know by Rudolph Zinn
EAN: 9780624048749 Available at kalahari.net. Click here.
1. Introduction
This document contains the key findings of researched conducted for his PhD by Professor Rudolph Zinn, senior lecturer in Forensic and Crime investigation at the University of South Africa. Most of the information comes from a book launched at the IS Pretoria office on 19 May 2010 titled “Home Invasion. Robbers disclose what you should know.” The book is currently available at various book stores across South Africa.
The primary objective of the research was to establish the type of crime intelligence that could be obtained by the police from convicted and incarcerated perpetrators of residential robbery. Similar research has guided intelligence-led policing utilised in a variety of countries including the UK, the USA, Netherlands and Germany. The premise of the research is that focused, intelligence guided policing results in a more efficient and effective utilisation of police resources in combating and reducing crime than ordinary visible policing tactics. Intelligence led policing therefore focuses on combating and reducing crime through understanding and identifying the perpetrators of as opposed to for example relying primarily on high police visibility operations in crime hot-spots.
Currently, this approach is not being utilised sufficiently in South Africa which limited he extent to which the South African Police Service has been able to effectively takcle violent organised crime. The research was undertaken with the intention of demonstrating its utility to the South African Police Services Crime Intelligence and Investigative components. Fortunately, according to Professor Zinn, the SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit have resopnded favourably to the research findings and are implementing a number of its recommendations.
2. Methodology
The research was based on in-depth interviews with 30 perpetrators who were convicted and incarcerated for the crime of “aggravated robbery.” Please note that there is no legal crime in South Africa defined as “residential robbery”. To identify the research subjects, the researcher was given a list of names of prisoners convicted for aggravated robbery and went from cell to cell looking for those that had been convicted specifically for residential robbery. The research subjects volunteered to be interviewed and they were subject to 116 structured and open-ended questions. The focus of the research was on the inmates of the six largest prisons in Gauteng as they house 86% of all prisoners who have been convicted for aggravated robbery in the province.
It must stated that the statistics to emerged from the research are not necessarily generalisable to all perpetrators or all instances of residential robbery. The statistics only refer to the sample of 30 research subjects stated during the interviews with them. It is important not interpret the findings in a general way such as “X% of all house robbers do the following …” or “In Y% of all house robberies ….” This was a qualitative study an its utility was to allow for a better understading of the profile, motivation and modus operandi of perpetrators of residential robberies. While the research is therefore not necessarily generalisable, it does provide useful insights into how they plan and carry out attacks and what can be done to enhance protective or preventative measures so as to avoid becoming a victim.
3. The Profile of Residential Robbery Perpetrators
The 30 research subjects interviewed conformed to the following broad profile:
• All were males except for two females who were convicted as being accessories to the crime rather than the primary instigators.
• They were representative of South Africa’s racial demographic profile;
• 83% were South African citizens with the remaining 17% holding the citizenship of other African countries.
• The subjects were between the ages of 19 and 26 years old;
• On average they would form a group of four people when attacking a household;
• Only 20% had completed high school to grade 12 and none had further teritary education.
• 76% were unemployed but a number of these had left employment to make money solely from robbery;
• 80% had not received any type of military or security related training. The remaining 20% that had received such training had either been employed as security guards or were foreign nationals who had worked in the police or military of their home countries.
• All were experienced criminals and had committed a number of other crimes before deciding to target households for robbery;
• On average each perpetrator admitted to having committed 103 crimes (including crimes other than robberies) over a seven year period before being arrested for the first time.
• 70% came from what was described as dysfunctional or “boken” homes.
• Given the nature of the crime, a distinctive characteristic of house robbers is the willingness to use lethal violence against victims. Most people who fit the same general profile (e.g. young, unemployed, from dysnfunctional families), do not commit violent crime.
4. Motivation for Involvement in Residential Robberies
• 97% of the perpetrators in the study stated that the primary motivating factor for becoming involved in this type of crime was “economic gain”;
• 22% of the perpetrators had also committed “farm attacks” (which are considered no differently as robberies of other types of residences by the perpetrators).
• 65% of what was stolen was spent on “cars, clothes, drugs, and alcohol.”
• 35% of what was stolen was spent on “survival” (i.e. food and rent);
• The victims were targeted because of their wealth. Other demographical factors suh as race played no part in decisions of the perpetrators to target specific households;
• A contributory factor was the existence of role-models in their communities who were criminals and were wealthy because of criminal activities. These individuals are well known and generally respected in their communities.
• 80% of the perpetrators in the study stated that their families, friends and acquaintances in their communities knew that they were involved in crime to make a living. This indicates a high tolerance for criminality in the communities from where they came.
• Residential robbery was chosen as a particular crime to become involved in because it resulted in more money more quickly than other types of crime and chances of being caught were seen as very low.
• All the perpetrators started with non-violent property crimes (i.e. theft) before progressing to violent crimes (i.e. robberies).
5. Choosing a Target
• 63% of the perpetrators in the study would prefer to travel between 10 and 30 minutes by vehicle from where they lived to commit a residential robbery. However, most would travel for much longer time periods if the target was deemed lucrative enough.
• 77% of the perpetrators stated that they chose targets for which they had some ‘inside information.’ For example, they would be able to get information about a particular house from domestic workers, gardeners or other service providers including security guards (or from the relatives or acquaintances of these people).
• Some perpetrators know people who make a living through burglary and will get information on specific houses from them.
• Generally, perpetrators would prefer to choose targets in neighbourhoods that had many entrance and exit points with easy access to main roads and where street security was low or non-existent.
• However, only 25% of the perpetrators in the research stated that they deliberately chose a house because it had low security. Rather, targets were chosen because they had reasonable information or suspicion that there would be much of value to steal once they had gained access to the property.
• The perpetrators in this study stated that they would tend to focus on what they termed as the “middle class.” However, this term was used quite broadly to talk about anyone who had relative wealth. Sometimes people with expensive jewellery, clothes or other visible signs of affluence would be followed home with the assumption that they would have expensive possessions in their residences.
6. Planning and Executing a Residential Robbery
• All perpetrators stated that they would spend some time prior to the attack doing surveillance on the targeted residence. In some cases this could be as little as 30 minutes prior to the attack and in other cases up to two weeks. The purpose of the surveillance is to orientate the perpetrators to the layout and types of neighbourhood and household security measures the habits and patterns of the residents.
• A majority of the perpetrators (57%) stated that they preferred to carry out residential robberies between 19h00 and 24h00 in the evening. This was when most people are at home, have disabled alarm systems and opened doors and windows. Also it is a time when there is noise from televisions and radios which will provide the perpetrators with some level of cover to allow them to take the victims by surprise.
• 14% of the perpetrators also attacked houses between 03h00 and 07h00 in the morning as it was quiet, the neighbours would be asleep or not paying particular attention and they would not be disturbed by visitors to the house.
• 7% stated that they also attacked houses between 10h00 and 12h00 in the mid-to late mornings. This was when domestic workers would be in the house, doors would be open, alarms would also be turned off and there would be the relative cover of noise.
• The most common way to access a property was to ‘break-in’ by forcing locks on gates or doors, breaking windows or disabling electric fences and climbing over the walls.
• Some of the perpetrators used exceptions to this by attacking houses where there were social functions as they could simply walk through gates or doors that were left open. In some cases the perpetrators would wait for the residents to leave or arrive home and attack them in the driveway before forcing them inside the house.
• Before breaking into the house, the perpetrators stated that they would try and identify the numbers and locations of everyone who was in the house. They would typically do this during the pre-attack surveillance and once they were in the property, by peering though windows preferably under the cover of darkness.
• The purpose of doing this is to surprise all the residents at once so that they do not have time to take defensive action such as raising the alarm or acquiring a weapon.
• Perpetrators in this study would spend anywhere between 30 minutes and four hours inside a house once they had successfully subdued the residents.
7. The Use of Violence in Robberies
• All perpetrators stated that they used violence or the threat of violence when entering a residence to overcome resistance from the victims.
• To assist in this 97% of the perpetrators in this study used firearms when they committed robberies.
• They preferred pistols as these were easy to conceal before and after the robbery. In addition the perpetrators liked pistols because of the sound the weapon made when ‘cocking’ it as this could also be used to intimidate victims.
• During the residential robbery, 67% of the perpetrators admitted committing assault, 30% admitted to committing murder, 13% admitted to committing rape and 13% admitted to torturing victims during a residential robbery. (Please note, this does not mean that people are murdered in 30% of residential robberies. Only that 30% of this sample admitted to having committed at least one murder in their lifetime. Statistics from an SAPS docket analysis in relation to violence associated with residential robberies is provided at the end of this document).
• According to these perpetrators, the use of torture was to force the victims to reveal the whereabouts of valuables in the house such as cash, firearms or jewellery.
• The torture most frequently mentioned consists of pouring boiling water or melted plastic on the victims or burning them with household instruments (e.g. an iron).
• The perpetrators in the study stated that they would most likely target women or children for torture during a robbery to force the male or adult to provide the information they required.
8. Preventing or Minimising the Risk of Residential Robberies
The research found that community crime prevention initiatives could make a difference in reducing the risk of a certain area becoming targeted by perpetrators of house robberies. For example regular neighbourhood watch schemes, random community patrol initiatives, or guards stationed at street corners who are linked by radio communication will make a certain community less attractive to criminals. For example, in the police precinct of Garsfontein certain suburbs recorded a decrease of 36.5% in residential robberies during the 2007/08 financial year following community based crime prevention initiatives. This was at a time when residential robberies were increasing substantially across the country.
The research also sought to identify measures that could be taken by people to minimise the risk of their particular residence becoming a target. The perpetrators were asked about the things that would make them hesitate to target a house or that would make it difficult for them to access a house. They generally answered that if the reward was big enough nothing could keep them from attacking a house. Nevertheless, there were factors that would make their lives difficult and could hamper their attack on a house. Out of 119 different answers that were given, the most frequently mentioned preventative measures in order of effectiveness were stated as follows:
• The presence of a number of small dogs inside the house that will bark when they become aware of suspicious activity outside. Teach any dogs not to take food from strangers as perpetrators will not hesitate to poison a dog to neutralise it as a threat.
• Razor wire or electric security fences around the entire perimeter of the house. Beware of an electric fence alarm repeatedly going off as this could be caused by perpetrators deliberately causing a short circuit to the fence in order to get the residents to turn the fence off.
• Pre-warning alarm systems such as security alarm sensors in the garden, along the outside walls, on the roof and in the ceiling. Alarm systems in garages or storerooms will make perpetrators lives difficult as they generally do not carry housebreaking tools with them. Usually break into a garage or tool shed first to get what they need to force the locks or break the windows of a house.
• An effective armed response service;
• There is an ‘open view’ into the house or garden from the street or a neighbouring property. This means that the perpetrator could be seen by a neighbour or a person in the street;
• Security lights that make it difficult to move around the outside of the house at night without being seen, especially sensor lights in front of bedrooms;
• CCTV systems and an intercom system for speaking to people who are outside of the property;
• Layers of security as opposed to a single security system;
• Strong doors and security gates with good quality locks;
• Door alarms that are activated when residents are at home;
• Curtains are drawn at night which prevent perpetrators from identifying the movement and location of the residents in the house;
• The existence of a “secure room” within the house where residents are able to escape to once they are aware of an attack.
• Panic buttons should be placed where residents are most likely to need them. Apart from doorways, these devices should be kept in places where residents will be able to access them in places where they are likely to be held during the robbery. For instance in the lounge under chairs or tables, under beds in bedrooms, in bathrooms as people are often locked in bathrooms and bedrooms during a robbery.
• Always check of signs of a forced entry when entering or leaving your home;
• Keep a copy of the ID Book of any employees who have access to or work at the house including names and contact details of their relatives.
In analysing the responses, the researcher found that out of all the measures that would hinder a house robber, 68% of them refer to securing the outer-perimeter of house and garden while 32% refer to internal security systems. This is because once the perpetrators have managed to get close to the house, the advantage they have in terms of the element of surprise leaves the residents with fewer defensive options. However, if the residents are alerted to a person jumping over their wall, they will have time to lock doors and raise the alarm.
9. Minimising Personal Risk during a Robbery
If the perpetrators manage to evade external security measures and are able to get access to the house, the behaviour of the residents then becomes very important if they are to survive the incident without harm. Most serious injuries and fatalities in residential robberies occur during the initial phase and are often linked to the attempts of the victims to resist the attackers. All perpetrators in the study stated that they would rather shoot a person than expose themselves to risk of injury during a house robbery.
As the first phase of the attack is the most dangerous from the point of view of the perpetrator, it is during this time that they are most adrenalised and are prone to acting on the spur of the moment. According to the perpetrators in the study, the victims of a robbery should do the following if they are confronted in their home to minimise the changes of being shot or seriously assaulted:
• You should not move when you see a stranger holding a gun.
• Any sudden movement or noise could lead to the perpetrator thinking that the resident is trying to take defensive action and it could result in a violent response including being shot at.
• Remain calm and do not make a noise;
• Keep your hands visible, but do not raise them above your head as this may be mistaken by the perpetrator as an attempt to signal help;
• Demonstrate willingness to cooperate by either pleading for your life, or asking not to be hurt and saying that they can take what they want
10. Key lessons for the Police
It is very difficult for the police to prevent residential robberies through regular policing tactics as the perpetrators plan their attacks very carefully. More organised perpetrators will assess the policing of a particular area as part of their surveillance to establish the risk that they face if they commit a robbery there. They may also have a sense of the reaction time of the police in a particular locality through their own or others previous experience of committing a serious crime that was reported to the police.
Nevertheless, 68% of the perpetrators in the study stated that frequent and random police patrols would be a deterrent to them from targeting houses in a particular area. This supports the tactic of increasing visible policing patrols and roadblocks during hot-spot areas and times (Fridays through Sundays from 18h00 to 24h00) to reduce the incidents of residential robberies in particular geographical areas. However, this will not necessarily drive down the overall rate of residential robberies as the perpetrators will adjust their tactics to evade the police. In this way, visible policing is more likely to displace the crime of residential robbery to different areas and times as opposed to preventing it.
The best way for the police to prevent residential robberies is to identify, arrest and support the prosecution of the perpetrators to increase their risks of going to prison. If increasing numbers of perpetrators are locked up, fewer perpetrators will be around to commit these crimes and fewer people will be willing to take on the risks of becoming involved in this type of crime as a way of making a living. This will result in the numbers of robberies decreasing which will in turn build community trust in the police, which again will increase the ability of the police to tackle other crimes.
For the police to ensure that perpetrators are sent to prison, the necessary resources will have to be made available for the police to:
• Identify and arrest perpetrators; and
• Support the successful prosecution of perpetrators.
This requires prioritising and strengthening the quality and capacity of police crime intelligence and the detectives tasked with investigating residential robberies.
The study focused particularly on the type of crime intelligence that the incarcerated could provide the police to assist them in tacking residential robberies. It found that there is a good “window period” for obtaining significant intelligence from convicted robbers.
At this time they are willing to provide detailed intelligence on other perpetrators and syndicates for relatively small improvements in their personal situation. According to the research, this includes for instance that their cooperation with the police is considered favourably when they come up for parole. They would also be willing to provide information for improvements in privileges such as more credit at the prison canteen, better prison duties etc. This would not be too onerous to achieve when compared to the valuable information that could be provided to the police about the networks who are involved in committing and supporting aggravated robbery.
Conclusion
The research conducted by Dr Zinn provides the most detailed insight into the perpetrators of residential robberies that is available to date. As it was mentioned earlier on this document, the statistics may not be generalisable to the entire population of perpetrators and so it shouldn’t be interpreted as such. For example, although 30 % of the perpetrators in this study admitted to committing murder during a residential robbery, an analysis of 1000 dockets undertaken by the SAPS found the following:
• Murder occurred in two percent of the incidents;
• Rape was reported in four percent of the incidents;
• Attempted murders were reported in nine percent of incidents;
• Some form of injury was reported in 13% of incidents.
This means that in a vast majority of residential robberies, the victims are left physically unharmed. Nevertheless, each incident of residential robbery is extemely traumatic for the victim because of the heightened potential for being murdered, raped or serious injured. This crime category (along with robbery in general), is therefore responsible for driving the high levels of fear and dissatisfaction with the police according to victimisation surveys.
For additional information and statistics on residential robberies and government initiatives to combat it, see the following articles on the ISS website:
• “Reclaiming our homes? Tackling residential robbery in Gauteng.” SA Crime Quarterly No 23. March 2008
• “Cops and robbers. A new approach.” SA Crime Quartelry No. 29. September 2009
For any queries please contact:
Gareth Newham
Programme Head: Crime and Justice Programme
Institute for Security Studies / Institut d'Études de Sécurité
Head Office / Sige principal
Tshwane (Pretoria)
South Africa / Afrique du Sud
Tel: +27 12 346 9500
Fax (office): +27 12 346 4569
Mobile: +27 82 887 1557
email: gnewham@issafrica.org
09 September, 2010
Update on Accident on Gondola Ave. of 8 Sept. 2010
It's with sadness that I have to report that the lady run over yesterday has died from her injuries. Councillor Don Forbes has been aware of the traffic issues and came to visit and speak to Lynn this morning on the matter at our home. He will now try to expedite traffic calming in our area.
Missing Ginger Cat
Hi all,
Robin and Di's gorgeous ginger cat has gone missing overnight. Please keep an eye out for him. Responds to the name Spice or Spicy. Please contact them if you have seen or found him.
Contact number is: ////details now removed////
Thank you!
Robin and Di's gorgeous ginger cat has gone missing overnight. Please keep an eye out for him. Responds to the name Spice or Spicy. Please contact them if you have seen or found him.
Contact number is: ////details now removed////
Thank you!
08 September, 2010
Power Outage 19.09.2010
Power outage on 19 September
Eskom has requested a total isolation at Randburg substation on 19 September from 5am to 7pm.
It will affect same areas as it did on 22 August, namely: Blairgowrie, Boschkop, Boskruin, Bromhof, Darrenwood, Ferndale, Fontainebleau, Kelland, Klipfontein, Malanshof, Moret, President Ridge, Rand Park, Rand Park Ridge, Randview, Robin Acres, Robin Hills, Robindale, Ruiterhof, Strydom Park, Windsor, Windsor Hill, Windsor Ridge.
Source: Randburg Sun http://www.randburgsun.co.za/2010/09/07/power-outage-on-19-september/#more-3366
Eskom has requested a total isolation at Randburg substation on 19 September from 5am to 7pm.
It will affect same areas as it did on 22 August, namely: Blairgowrie, Boschkop, Boskruin, Bromhof, Darrenwood, Ferndale, Fontainebleau, Kelland, Klipfontein, Malanshof, Moret, President Ridge, Rand Park, Rand Park Ridge, Randview, Robin Acres, Robin Hills, Robindale, Ruiterhof, Strydom Park, Windsor, Windsor Hill, Windsor Ridge.
Source: Randburg Sun http://www.randburgsun.co.za/2010/09/07/power-outage-on-19-september/#more-3366
07 September, 2010
Linden Community Policing Forum - Sector 3 Meeting (04.10.2010)
LINDEN COMMUNITY POLICING FORUM (LCPF): SECTOR 3 MEETING: Monday Evening 04 OCTOBER 2010 at 18:30 in the AUDITORIUM, FONTAINEBLEAU COMMUNITY CHURCH, Cnr RABIE Street & FOURTH Avenue North in Fontainebleau
Dear neighbour, resident, friend,
I have been tasked by the LCPF to set up a meeting with all Residents / Associations / Representatives / and any other interested party regarding security matters and security / community related matters. The meeting has been scheduled for 18:30 on Monday 4th October 2010 in the Auditorium of the Fontainebleau Community Church, corner of Rabie Street and Fourth Avenue North in Fontainebleau.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been instructed (legislated) to have in place proper functioning SECTOR POLICING in the very near future. The ins and outs hereof will be the main subject at the meeting. SAPS will be represented by Captain Vermaak, who is in charge of Sector Policing at Linden Police Station. The Sector Manager for our sector, (Sector 3) will also be there, as will several other SAPS & LCPF members and Security Company reps.
This is one of the most important meetings on security matters (I believe the most important) and you are cordially invited to attend and also to participate. Not only will you have the opportunity to interact with SAPS, you will also be invited to become involved with and to elect community representatives who will work very closely with the Sector Policemen.
Unfortunately there is no comprehensive list of community representatives, so I am taking the liberty of sending this invite to all the addresses that I have. Please therefore feel free to invite all the people in your neighbourhood: Sector Policing is in your and my direct interest so I urge everyone to attend please. There is room for 600 people in the auditorium: please do not duck this one, come along!
Please take the liberty to contact me any time after the 20th (I am out of town until then). I will follow up on all responses received by then, during that week and look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Martin Opperman at
//// personal details removed ///
04 September 2010
Dear neighbour, resident, friend,
I have been tasked by the LCPF to set up a meeting with all Residents / Associations / Representatives / and any other interested party regarding security matters and security / community related matters. The meeting has been scheduled for 18:30 on Monday 4th October 2010 in the Auditorium of the Fontainebleau Community Church, corner of Rabie Street and Fourth Avenue North in Fontainebleau.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been instructed (legislated) to have in place proper functioning SECTOR POLICING in the very near future. The ins and outs hereof will be the main subject at the meeting. SAPS will be represented by Captain Vermaak, who is in charge of Sector Policing at Linden Police Station. The Sector Manager for our sector, (Sector 3) will also be there, as will several other SAPS & LCPF members and Security Company reps.
This is one of the most important meetings on security matters (I believe the most important) and you are cordially invited to attend and also to participate. Not only will you have the opportunity to interact with SAPS, you will also be invited to become involved with and to elect community representatives who will work very closely with the Sector Policemen.
Unfortunately there is no comprehensive list of community representatives, so I am taking the liberty of sending this invite to all the addresses that I have. Please therefore feel free to invite all the people in your neighbourhood: Sector Policing is in your and my direct interest so I urge everyone to attend please. There is room for 600 people in the auditorium: please do not duck this one, come along!
Please take the liberty to contact me any time after the 20th (I am out of town until then). I will follow up on all responses received by then, during that week and look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Martin Opperman at
//// personal details removed ///
04 September 2010
23 August, 2010
Crime information - Convict tells of Modus Operandi
Note from Administrator: I've copied and pasted the contents directly from the email that I received:
Greetings All:
The following is worth circulating to our Sandton community, via the Resident Associations, Sector Forums, etc.
Thank you to RAC (Residents Against Crime) !!
There was a meeting held with a convict who is spending 18 odd years for crime, ranging from housebreaking to hi-jacking, and who is currently out on parole. (with special thanks to Clr.Alison van der Molen - DA). The meeting was well represented.
In short herewith feedback which in most cases is the modus operandi with specific exclamation on particular methods used to gain access as well as some points for concern as in the mind of a criminal
• General conditions prevailing in our jails were discussed at length and it was apparent that crime is rife inside prison (drugs, alcohol, money, gangs with different specialties, etc.)
• Should you as a prisoner be “branded” by other inmates it will be common knowledge in other prisons even far removed.
• Wardens play a more important role in the activities undermining the law which are relevant mostly round holidays when senior officers are on leave.
• Whites are perceived to be affluent and have large sums of money readily available.
• White areas are targeted by criminals and perceived to be soft targets, more so than traditional black township areas.
• Criminals do the deed because of greed and not because they are hungry or deprived or any other reason.
• A good criminal can easily add R40,000 wealth in a month if he is pro-active.
• His motivation is to be seen as a competitive person who aspires to drive the latest possible car and lifestyle (hence the clothes he wears).
• Most criminals at housebreaking activities work in groups two or more. Should a lone criminal be spotted the other “hand” is inside the property to assist - Note that domestics play a more important role than what we give them credit for. (Gangs are the buzzword and work on a ‘share-all‘ basis).
• Guns are most sought after as they help achieve the devastating goals without too much of a hassle.
• Criminals are all nervous when at work and best left to proceed without resistance or face the consequences.
• Petty crimes such as cell phone theft, smashing a car window to grab a bag of valuables are mostly aimed at female drivers who are alone at the time. It is advisable to have your valuables stashed away in a boot or out of sight.
• Most criminals drive or walk the streets to plan their operation.
• A study of the location is normally undertaken for at least a week to ascertain the movements prevailing at the premises and its inhabitants.
• The following week it is back to action.
• Domestics are enticed to give information pertaining to security measures and contents to establish the degree used for the approach.
• Big Black dustbins are high on the attractive list for a criminal.
• When putting out garbage most homes have more than one Bin and often entrance is gained to the backyard/house, without a fight, once the gate is opened between bin 1 and bin 2.
• Black Bins are used to stand on to jump over the wall at best to hide in when waiting for a hit.
• Overgrown trees are a great asset for a criminal as he uses the tree to climb into and jump over your wall/security electrical fence etc.
• It was strongly advised to cut away all large trees on your parameter of the property to avoid this assistance.
• Shrubs on and outside the premises are used as a common given to hide and be readily available to take advantage from close proximity where you are most vulnerable.
• A Coke can is often used to mark the property identified and if not removed is seen to be a “safe” hit. Normally placed in your driveway entrance and monitored.
• Children as seen to be easy targets to relieve them of their expensive cell phones.
• Often criminals identify their next opportunity at shopping centre when they leave with huge trolleys of merchandise.
• They follow the incumbent home and gain entrance the easy way, through the front door!
• It is always of utmost importance to note that you are not being followed home. It is common to trace a car from a two-car gap close to its destination and then pounce.
• Most residents have gates and/or garage control.
• Do not accept that once you have closed the gate/door that you are secure, always make sure you are the only movement that has used the entrance/exit.
• Certain vehicles are higher on the priority list such as “bakkies” and 4x4’s for they have a resale value especially in places like Botswana.
• Port authorities are only too willing to assist these organized crime gangs at the border post for a share of the loot. It is not uncommon to get R400.00 for a vehicle.(Good money)
• Immobilizers are seen to be a deterrent and an electronic device is utilized to identify where the “bug” is located/removed and often put in a third car only to be dumped in a different place far away from the host vehicle.
• Should a high-jack go wrong it is a booby prize to apprehend a resident and relieve him/her of his money at gunpoint. It is firmly believed that the white population carry at least R200 on their person at any given time, so no matter what it remains a successful hit even just for R200!
• Electrical goods are high on the shopping list and flat screen TVs are easy for a takeaway on the spur of the moment. Traditional TV’s are too bulky and are less favored.
• The Nigerians were singled out as the most likely contacts to redeem your newly “acquired” assets and swap shops and Internet Café the most likely buyers for the electrical components of the days shopping.
• Service providers were singled out as a main master plan to gain entrance and knowledge of your specific situation, mostly with the help of your domestic. i.e. Electricians were especially singled out together with bogus Estate Agents, plumbers, painters, builders, tillers, carpet fitters etc. etc, etc.
• We were specifically cautioned to have your domestic in the know should you contract/employ a service person such as above of the conditions prevailing when giving access into your home otherwise count your losses.
• Domestics are seen to be most informative and are often enticed to “tell” what is happening in your home.
• An example was given that if you are accustomed to leaving money in your trouser pockets and this is recovered by your domestic a perception is given that you don’t even worry about small change (i.e. R300!) and therefore would not even miss it. This is told over at your local Spar to all interested parties but with the exception that the R300 has now grown to R300,000 (brag value).
• Ensure your domestic is on the same side of the fence as the inhabitants of the house.
• Keys were raised as an issue and most criminals will ask you for your safe’s key and are most interested in firearms and Cash.
• Keys will be sought as a first priority and special care is taken that you do not see their face for future identification. A tip was given to turn around, face the perpetrators when answering a question in this time of trauma with the intent to identify same when safe.
• It is common to see a single criminal in a car with the other participants lying down not to attract attention.
• Specific instructions when being hi-jacked and/or during a house robbery is that you show your hands and look the other way.
• Credit Card theft and withdrawals are favored by many where during a housebreaking you are relieved from your card, kept in a safe place whilst a member of the “gang” obtains your PIN no just to draw the maximum your card will allow. It is advisable not to attempt to give the incorrect PIN as this would just anger the criminal and place yourself at risk. Maybe time to reflect on limiting your daily balance available as a cash withdrawal with your Bank.
• As a rule violence is only forthcoming if the robbery is met with resistance but is an individual decision.
• Rape was discussed at length and what was very disturbing is that a would be criminal would do his “homework” before going into action and special caution was given not to be seen as easy prey, be provocative in your lifestyle and to remember that any such act requires pre-planning and the act is that of lust and is all in the brain.
• Dogs are seen to be a major deterrent amongst criminals but he will endure the barking of a dog until he (the dog) is shut up by his owner.
• If dogs are persistent in giving away the game criminals will poison the dog by feeding them poisoned chicken heads or likewise. This is particularly evident if your dog has more than one hand that feeds them (I presume that is the case in most households)
• Various methods are used to be a successful criminal.
• Notwithstanding all of the above if was stressed that the pro-active way to fight back lies within ourselves.
• Reporting incidents to the SAPS is highly recommended as criminals in general do not like policemen. The police are seen to be their enemy so embrace the situation and involve the officers of the Law.
• The matter of suspicious police was raised as a concern and the advice given if you feel your case is being unattended to is to escalate the incident with the specific officials superior.
• Noise is a further deterrent as all thieves like to operate in “safe” environments where they attract least attention. Inquisitive neighbors do not suit their actions.
• Additional lighting in and around your property is also a deterrent.
• Surveillance cameras are seen to be disturbing and have the ability to make positive identification possible after the incident. In all cases the video recorder will be located, the tape/disc removed to avoid unpleasant follow up actions.
• Alarms and especially panic buttons must be in working order to be effective and should be tested regularly, with the consent of the service provider, to ensure that when you need the reaction the equipment does not fail you!
• Not security systems, dogs, beams, cameras or whatever precautionary action is as effective as to have the entire community involved to be aware of their environment, know the people, identify irregular patterns of movement in the area and always be on the lookout for would-be criminals who are out of place.
• Community involvement and especially the meetings and action plans to combat crime which are held are well known to criminals and they heed the warning signs as an obstacle.
• Crime is a growing business and criminals, even after being caught and served time, return to their old patterns because it is lucrative, financially rewarding and assist a criminal to achieve status amongst his friends as being a successful person
After some hour and a bit there was still lots to be said and asked (time permitting) but at least we have now established that criminals must not be underestimated as they are a well organized movement and with our interjection can only be less successful in our Streets. In the past year and a half it is also apparent that we as a community may have addressed most of the techniques used but are likewise cautioned that these guys are entrepreneurs with ever changing methods to enrich and satisfy their greed.
Even just as a refresher to what has been said in the past it cannot be under emphasized that as a community we can successfully combat the criminal activities if we stand together and remain awake and aware and under no circumstances become complacent.
Kind regards
Greg Pearce
Chairman – Sector 2 Honeydew SAPS
082 442-7819
--------------------------------------------
THE INTERNET IS WATCHING YOU !
Kind Regards, RAC
Residents Against Crime - RAC ZERO TOLERANCE !
Tel: 011 704-6222 Fax: 011 322-8714 Cell: 082-458-2544
E-mails : support@rac.org.za / mikesmu@heinemann.co.za / webmaster@rac.org.za / mike@rac.org.za / raconline@telkomsa.net
Website: www.rac.org.za
Greetings All:
The following is worth circulating to our Sandton community, via the Resident Associations, Sector Forums, etc.
Thank you to RAC (Residents Against Crime) !!
There was a meeting held with a convict who is spending 18 odd years for crime, ranging from housebreaking to hi-jacking, and who is currently out on parole. (with special thanks to Clr.Alison van der Molen - DA). The meeting was well represented.
In short herewith feedback which in most cases is the modus operandi with specific exclamation on particular methods used to gain access as well as some points for concern as in the mind of a criminal
• General conditions prevailing in our jails were discussed at length and it was apparent that crime is rife inside prison (drugs, alcohol, money, gangs with different specialties, etc.)
• Should you as a prisoner be “branded” by other inmates it will be common knowledge in other prisons even far removed.
• Wardens play a more important role in the activities undermining the law which are relevant mostly round holidays when senior officers are on leave.
• Whites are perceived to be affluent and have large sums of money readily available.
• White areas are targeted by criminals and perceived to be soft targets, more so than traditional black township areas.
• Criminals do the deed because of greed and not because they are hungry or deprived or any other reason.
• A good criminal can easily add R40,000 wealth in a month if he is pro-active.
• His motivation is to be seen as a competitive person who aspires to drive the latest possible car and lifestyle (hence the clothes he wears).
• Most criminals at housebreaking activities work in groups two or more. Should a lone criminal be spotted the other “hand” is inside the property to assist - Note that domestics play a more important role than what we give them credit for. (Gangs are the buzzword and work on a ‘share-all‘ basis).
• Guns are most sought after as they help achieve the devastating goals without too much of a hassle.
• Criminals are all nervous when at work and best left to proceed without resistance or face the consequences.
• Petty crimes such as cell phone theft, smashing a car window to grab a bag of valuables are mostly aimed at female drivers who are alone at the time. It is advisable to have your valuables stashed away in a boot or out of sight.
• Most criminals drive or walk the streets to plan their operation.
• A study of the location is normally undertaken for at least a week to ascertain the movements prevailing at the premises and its inhabitants.
• The following week it is back to action.
• Domestics are enticed to give information pertaining to security measures and contents to establish the degree used for the approach.
• Big Black dustbins are high on the attractive list for a criminal.
• When putting out garbage most homes have more than one Bin and often entrance is gained to the backyard/house, without a fight, once the gate is opened between bin 1 and bin 2.
• Black Bins are used to stand on to jump over the wall at best to hide in when waiting for a hit.
• Overgrown trees are a great asset for a criminal as he uses the tree to climb into and jump over your wall/security electrical fence etc.
• It was strongly advised to cut away all large trees on your parameter of the property to avoid this assistance.
• Shrubs on and outside the premises are used as a common given to hide and be readily available to take advantage from close proximity where you are most vulnerable.
• A Coke can is often used to mark the property identified and if not removed is seen to be a “safe” hit. Normally placed in your driveway entrance and monitored.
• Children as seen to be easy targets to relieve them of their expensive cell phones.
• Often criminals identify their next opportunity at shopping centre when they leave with huge trolleys of merchandise.
• They follow the incumbent home and gain entrance the easy way, through the front door!
• It is always of utmost importance to note that you are not being followed home. It is common to trace a car from a two-car gap close to its destination and then pounce.
• Most residents have gates and/or garage control.
• Do not accept that once you have closed the gate/door that you are secure, always make sure you are the only movement that has used the entrance/exit.
• Certain vehicles are higher on the priority list such as “bakkies” and 4x4’s for they have a resale value especially in places like Botswana.
• Port authorities are only too willing to assist these organized crime gangs at the border post for a share of the loot. It is not uncommon to get R400.00 for a vehicle.(Good money)
• Immobilizers are seen to be a deterrent and an electronic device is utilized to identify where the “bug” is located/removed and often put in a third car only to be dumped in a different place far away from the host vehicle.
• Should a high-jack go wrong it is a booby prize to apprehend a resident and relieve him/her of his money at gunpoint. It is firmly believed that the white population carry at least R200 on their person at any given time, so no matter what it remains a successful hit even just for R200!
• Electrical goods are high on the shopping list and flat screen TVs are easy for a takeaway on the spur of the moment. Traditional TV’s are too bulky and are less favored.
• The Nigerians were singled out as the most likely contacts to redeem your newly “acquired” assets and swap shops and Internet Café the most likely buyers for the electrical components of the days shopping.
• Service providers were singled out as a main master plan to gain entrance and knowledge of your specific situation, mostly with the help of your domestic. i.e. Electricians were especially singled out together with bogus Estate Agents, plumbers, painters, builders, tillers, carpet fitters etc. etc, etc.
• We were specifically cautioned to have your domestic in the know should you contract/employ a service person such as above of the conditions prevailing when giving access into your home otherwise count your losses.
• Domestics are seen to be most informative and are often enticed to “tell” what is happening in your home.
• An example was given that if you are accustomed to leaving money in your trouser pockets and this is recovered by your domestic a perception is given that you don’t even worry about small change (i.e. R300!) and therefore would not even miss it. This is told over at your local Spar to all interested parties but with the exception that the R300 has now grown to R300,000 (brag value).
• Ensure your domestic is on the same side of the fence as the inhabitants of the house.
• Keys were raised as an issue and most criminals will ask you for your safe’s key and are most interested in firearms and Cash.
• Keys will be sought as a first priority and special care is taken that you do not see their face for future identification. A tip was given to turn around, face the perpetrators when answering a question in this time of trauma with the intent to identify same when safe.
• It is common to see a single criminal in a car with the other participants lying down not to attract attention.
• Specific instructions when being hi-jacked and/or during a house robbery is that you show your hands and look the other way.
• Credit Card theft and withdrawals are favored by many where during a housebreaking you are relieved from your card, kept in a safe place whilst a member of the “gang” obtains your PIN no just to draw the maximum your card will allow. It is advisable not to attempt to give the incorrect PIN as this would just anger the criminal and place yourself at risk. Maybe time to reflect on limiting your daily balance available as a cash withdrawal with your Bank.
• As a rule violence is only forthcoming if the robbery is met with resistance but is an individual decision.
• Rape was discussed at length and what was very disturbing is that a would be criminal would do his “homework” before going into action and special caution was given not to be seen as easy prey, be provocative in your lifestyle and to remember that any such act requires pre-planning and the act is that of lust and is all in the brain.
• Dogs are seen to be a major deterrent amongst criminals but he will endure the barking of a dog until he (the dog) is shut up by his owner.
• If dogs are persistent in giving away the game criminals will poison the dog by feeding them poisoned chicken heads or likewise. This is particularly evident if your dog has more than one hand that feeds them (I presume that is the case in most households)
• Various methods are used to be a successful criminal.
• Notwithstanding all of the above if was stressed that the pro-active way to fight back lies within ourselves.
• Reporting incidents to the SAPS is highly recommended as criminals in general do not like policemen. The police are seen to be their enemy so embrace the situation and involve the officers of the Law.
• The matter of suspicious police was raised as a concern and the advice given if you feel your case is being unattended to is to escalate the incident with the specific officials superior.
• Noise is a further deterrent as all thieves like to operate in “safe” environments where they attract least attention. Inquisitive neighbors do not suit their actions.
• Additional lighting in and around your property is also a deterrent.
• Surveillance cameras are seen to be disturbing and have the ability to make positive identification possible after the incident. In all cases the video recorder will be located, the tape/disc removed to avoid unpleasant follow up actions.
• Alarms and especially panic buttons must be in working order to be effective and should be tested regularly, with the consent of the service provider, to ensure that when you need the reaction the equipment does not fail you!
• Not security systems, dogs, beams, cameras or whatever precautionary action is as effective as to have the entire community involved to be aware of their environment, know the people, identify irregular patterns of movement in the area and always be on the lookout for would-be criminals who are out of place.
• Community involvement and especially the meetings and action plans to combat crime which are held are well known to criminals and they heed the warning signs as an obstacle.
• Crime is a growing business and criminals, even after being caught and served time, return to their old patterns because it is lucrative, financially rewarding and assist a criminal to achieve status amongst his friends as being a successful person
After some hour and a bit there was still lots to be said and asked (time permitting) but at least we have now established that criminals must not be underestimated as they are a well organized movement and with our interjection can only be less successful in our Streets. In the past year and a half it is also apparent that we as a community may have addressed most of the techniques used but are likewise cautioned that these guys are entrepreneurs with ever changing methods to enrich and satisfy their greed.
Even just as a refresher to what has been said in the past it cannot be under emphasized that as a community we can successfully combat the criminal activities if we stand together and remain awake and aware and under no circumstances become complacent.
Kind regards
Greg Pearce
Chairman – Sector 2 Honeydew SAPS
082 442-7819
--------------------------------------------
THE INTERNET IS WATCHING YOU !
Kind Regards, RAC
Residents Against Crime - RAC ZERO TOLERANCE !
Tel: 011 704-6222 Fax: 011 322-8714 Cell: 082-458-2544
E-mails : support@rac.org.za / mikesmu@heinemann.co.za / webmaster@rac.org.za / mike@rac.org.za / raconline@telkomsa.net
Website: www.rac.org.za
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)