DURING the last Port Alfred Community Police Forum (CPF) meeting held on Tuesday August 16, several concerns were identified with regard to the types of crimes being reported, and also the crime tendencies and modus operandi by criminals.
Members of the public fall victim as they think it will never happen to them. SAPS and the CPF gave the following advice.
- Fraud – People are buying items on OLX or Gumtree, paying a deposit towards something they have seen on the advert. SAPS advises to not pay for something you are not in possession of.
- ATM fraud/card theft – SAPs cautions that under no circumstances should members of the public accept assistance from strangers while withdrawing money. Call for bank staff to assist you.
- Residents should educate their domestic workers not to allow any person into your residence without your prior approval. People lie and say they are from Telkom or Sassa.
- Residents should ensure that all doors and sliding doors are locked. Obtain a sliding pin lock for your sliding door, this way criminals can’t lift your sliding door off its frame. People are reckless; they are leaving doors unlocked when going to bed.
- Arm your alarm when going to bed. It’s not useful if it is not armed. It can save you from becoming a victim of house robbery.
- If you don’t have burglar bars in front of your windows, now is the time to start investing in some bars. Criminals are opportunistic.
- When your dogs bark continuously, have a look, they bark for a reason. Don’t go out, look through your window.
- Do not employ people off the street for “one day” of work! Do not supply your employees with too much personal information, for example, when you are going away for the weekend.
Businesses:
- Do not keep large amounts of cash on your premises.
- Do not leave your petty cash box lying on the counter when your store is closed.
- Leave cash draws open in order for criminals to see there is no money on site. All money should be in a safe locked away.
The Port Alfred police encourage residents to report when they have are victims of crime. SAPS cannot address the problem if the police are not aware that a crime has been committed.
The Port Alfred CPF is planning on having an open public meeting on September 7 at 5.30pm. The venue will be confirmed.