South Africa has relatively high rates of violent crime and consistently records one of the highest murder rates in the world. Organised crime is also strongly entrenched.
The bad news is that violent crimes which South Africans fear most such as armed robberies, burglaries, murder, attempted murder and serious assault do markedly increase over the festive season.
Murder and Serious assault tend to increase by as much as 50% during December.
Burglary sees an average 8% increase during the same period.
Starting around October house robberies tend to increase proportionately through December, dropping off by about 11% by January.
ALCOHOL AND NARCOTICS
It’s easy to understand the increase in Murder and Assault. People associate more, and consume more alcohol and drugs during this period. Family arguments, quickly spiral out of control, and crimes of passion are exaggerated by narcosis.
Individuals need to remain alert to environments where alcohol and drug consumption are rampant. Avoid these areas as far as possible.
W here possible minimise travelling and use of public roads, since drunk driving related accidents account for almost a third of violent deaths during this period.
Clubs, bars and shebeens are hotspots for the development of violence – attendance at these facilities sharply increases the probability that you may be affected by narcotic violence and aggression.
The survival strategy is to keep distance between yourself and the heavy consumption of alcohol and narcotics. Being out and about late at night or through the earlier hours of the morning – when the effects of narcotic abuse is highest , certainly increases your risk of interfacing with intoxicated people.
The preventions are simple to enunciate, however many people, especially the youth will find them burdensome to apply in practice. At the very least be aware of the heightened risks in such environments.
AWARENESS AND NEIGHBOURLINESS
The holidays are usually accompanied by migration out of residential areas. Less people occupy the residential neighbourhoods as they travel away on holiday. This would seem to be more notably so in the affluent suburbs – where residents can afford to travel away for extended holidays. Yet others still need to go to work during the day.
The vastly reduced number of people in these areas provide opportunities for criminals as homes are left unoccupied, and visibility is lowered.
On the other hand those that stay at home in these environments, suffer from the decreased visibility and awareness that comes with fewer neighbours around.
At the same time they are also on holiday and spend more time outside at the back of their properties. These people are relaxed, less alert and tend to leave their doors and windows open while they relax outside.
Those spending the holidays at home, tend to entertain – which means more people present in one place. A higher concentration of potential victims and their valuables is very tempting for criminals.
The relaxed atmosphere, and lowered levels of awareness may also be enhanced by increased use of alcohol and narcotics.
In the home you want to be alert to the potential for perimeter intrusion at all times. 90% of the time your driveway gate is the most vulnerable point.
In addition you want visibility and early warning.
Perhaps you have guards deployed, or will rely on motion detection sensors or artificial intelligence cameras to monitor vulnerable areas continuously. These systems need to be linked to notification mechanisms – those that will quickly alert you to danger on smartphones, or in your security companies control rooms.
House robberies are normally the result of being caught off guard. Ensure that you have defensive systems in place that will allow you to relax and enjoy yourself in confidence.
BUSINESS SLEEPY HOLLOW OR GOLD RUSH
Business owners suffer one of the two extremes – either the business area becomes a sleepy hollow as residents move to holiday centres or rural residences, or it becomes a hive of activity as holiday makers stream in.
The sleepy hollow situation is treated like the residential area that becomes a lot quieter. Business owners need surveillance – sensors, guards or AI capable cameras that will monitor the areas for intruders and quickly alert the owner or security company when there is an intrusion.
Here the tedious but daily routine of locking your doors, closing your windows and setting alarms become critical. Walk around the premises and make sure that there no unprotected points for unauthorised entry before you leave.
It may be necessary to install new locks, lighting, security sensors or cameras – while this may be seen as an expense , ultimately it’s protecting your bottom line.
THE HOLIDAY CROWD
Let’s start with the business owner who faces the incoming rush. Plan for the rush in advance. Ensure that your staff are properly trained and that you can trust them.
Develop an emergency protocol and make sure that everyone who has access to the property knows these protocols.
Don’t be afraid to do background checks on your staff. It’s during this season that you could easily discover that many whom you thought could be trusted, can cause serious damage to your business. A large threat is presented by the staff inside your business – do all you can to ensure they can be trusted.
You may need to design a crowd management system. A lot more children, and teenagers with backpacks are going to be visiting. From both safety and security perspectives you want to control the potential for overcrowding.
You may want to invest in surveillance tools like cameras and mirrors, or security systems like security stands and shelf locks for small, high value items.
Manage your inventory with modern point of sales systems and ensure regular inventory counts or audits.
THE HOLIDAYMAKERS
But what about those who have moved into these now bustling areas to enjoy their holiday. Once again the increased concentration of people in the area will attract criminals.
Vigilance is the key – along with the terms middle, and average.
STAY INCONSPICUOUS
You don’t want to stand out from the crowd, and draw attention to yourself, your family or the property you have brought with you. You should try to be normal, blended into the crowd.
Do not flash items of value or dress in such fashion as to make you stand out in the crowd.
Be careful about handling cash and cards – doing so discreetly.
Try to limit the possessions that you take on holiday with you – you want to be as inconspicuous as possible.
CHILD SAFETY
Toddlers and young children, particularly girls will draw the attention of all sorts of criminal types. Make sure you have constant contact with them, hold their hands, don’t let go of them.
You may even want to attach small children to your person with a leash.
Make it a policy that a responsible adult always has eye’s on them.
Help each member of the family to make their way to an easily identified meeting spot in the event of an emergency, or becoming separated.
The same applies if shopping with small children – don’t do it alone! Have another capable adult attend to keep an eye, or attach the children to your person with a leash.
SAFETY IN THE HERD
Stay away from the fringes – if you’re on the beach try to occupy the middle zone, not on the shoreline or beach entrance.
If you go to the mall – limit the amount of time spent at stores near the entrances and exits, try to remain in the interior of the mall.
If you walk in a crowd occupy the middle of the crowd, avoid the fringes.
If you get onto public transport seat your self in the middle, away from the entrances.
BEING ALONE
Be particularly careful in situations where you or your family are the only ones in an area with very few other people.
Be very attentive to the other people in such situations.
Continually check that there is a route of passage or escape available. If the other people in the area seem to be cutting off any escape, even if they seem to be unrelated to one another – be very cautious.
Try to avoid areas where you or your family might be alone.
SECURING YOUR POSSESSIONS
Then make sure to secure your goods.
Lock your vehicles, make sure to lock doors and close windows of your accommodation.
If you are on the beach designate a person to stay and watch your valuables if you cannot secure them in a locker.
It’s possible to invest in some portable wireless cameras if the holiday facility has wi-fi available. These cameras can easily be deployed in the holiday accommodation and notify you via the internet of any intrusions while you are away.
PLAN AND PREPARE FOR THE RISK OF CRIME
While we have offered some advice, it cannot be an exhaustive listing. Each individual needs to assess their own circumstances and try to determine vulnerabilities in whatever circumstances they find themselves. Common sense precautions should be planned and implemented before hand.
Keep in mind that you are more likely to experience crime at this time of the year than any other period. Plan and prepare for it – while having a joyous time in confidence.
If you woud like a convenient online facility to book a security assessment for your home or business during this holiday season – simply complete the request form here and a qualified consultant will arrange to visit you. Free Site Security Assessment
