security

There is no one solution to preventing crime especially with the general level of policing in the country. However, all indicators are that public space monitoring [CRA’s PSS scheme] does reduce the number of crime incidents. And residents must also be aware and take responsibility – ALWAYS report suspicious activity to CAP [0861 227 227], brief your employees on security matters [the Domestic Watch programme is highly recommended] – and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Public Space Security (PSS) Scheme

Whereas Armed Response is aimed at responding to an alarm in your personal residence, Public Space Security results in additional resources deployed throughout the neighbourhood, looking to proactively deter and protect against crime. Identifying hotspots and crime trends and deploying resources (vehicles/manpower/etc), proactive patrolling; activities that require extra resources or special operations. We all live in this suburb and use many of the resources, so if there is a crime incident in DeltaPark, but you live in Grosvenor, the PSS scheme still applies and improves the overall security of the entire suburb.

An optimal and effective security service is about economies of scale, the more subscribers a security company has, the more resources they are able to deploy into an area. The more resources the safer the area is. If there is only one vehicle in the area and they are responding to an alarm in Marlborough Avenue, and you need them in Waterfall, you may have a dangerous wait. We aim to achieve the optimal situation through a combination of Armed Response and PSS subscribers.

But I have an Armed Response Service

Normal residential armed response (AR) is a reactive service and is an arrangement between any home owner/occupant and the AR provider. Industry standards may vary but are on the lines of one vehicle for every 250-300 properties; usually there is only one officer in a vehicle. The officer responds only when a call is made or a panic button pressed.

The choice of an armed response provider is at the discretion of the resident. Any resident may choose to join the CRA’s PSS scheme in addition to a separate armed response provider.

The CRA community is fortunate that committed residents have taken on the challenge of the security portfolio.

A very important step taken by the CRA was the introduction – some 15 years ago – of our own 24/7 street patrols. The proactive street patrol service was originally provided by ADT. In 2008 the initiative was renamed, and the Public Space Security (PSS) scheme was launched.

CAP has been appointed as the CRA’s PSS provider from 1 March 2018.

A security camera network, including licence recognition cameras, is in place in our area. Camera footage can provide useful information following a security incident, and subscribers to the CRA’s PSS scheme may request access to footage from CAP.

While crime still occurs, the PSS scheme has undoubtedly helped contain crime in our suburbs. Its proactive approach [as opposed to the reactive nature of armed response] is intended to prevent a crime before criminals get to your property.

The information on our website aims to help residents deal more effectively with crime.

To note:

• Craighall falls under SAPS Randburg
• Craighall Park and Dunkeld West (west of Jan Smuts) fall under SAPS Parkview
• SAPS Rosebank is another nearby police station.

In the event of an emergency residents usually contact their armed response company.

what can we do?

We will not be able to address all the issues but we need the full engagement of the CRA community if we have any hope of success. Here are some suggestions.

Interacting with our police stations

Every police station has to have a Community Safety Forum [CSF] and / or a Community Policing Forum [CPF]. Each CSF meets on a monthly basis to review crime incidents in the area. The CRA has battled to find a Craighall resident to represent us at SAPS Randburg CPF but we are represented at SAPS Parkview.

With the feedback from these forums and security companies, the CRA is better placed to provide residents with regular updates / latest crime trends etc.

It is critically important that crime, of any nature, is reported because resource allocation and deployment depends very much on the reporting of actual events. The CRA also has our own on-line Craigpark Incident Advice Form so that you can keep us informed as well.

Working with the security companies in our area

Most residents in our neighbourhood are contracted to one of the mainstream armed response companies. The CRA works with CAP as its preferred provider.

You should report any suspicious activity CAP.
Contact number:
CAP – 0861 227 227

Make sure that your employees have important telephone numbers saved. 

Burglary empowerment strategies

It is also self-evident that additional steps such as contributing towards a community security scheme make a significant difference to personal safety and security. [See the CRA Public Spaces Security scheme – PSS.]

Check just how secure your home really is

• If you’ve just moved into your home, especially if you’ve done renovations, change all the locks! Whatever this might cost you, it’ll be a lot cheaper than putting yourself at risk of being cleaned out.
• For maximum protection, your entry door(s) should be solid and fitted with dead bolts, not spring loaded locks as these are easily opened with a credit card or such like. Sliding doors should have extra long bolts.
• Are you sure that your alarm system – if you have one – is of good quality? Always get three quotes. Be an informed consumer, check out exactly what you’re getting. When did you last test your alarm system? Do so regularly. Do you ever change your key pad number?
• Passive infra-red lights on the outside should be installed. If you have an electric fence, is it linked to your alarm system?
• Motion-sensitive lights are better around the outside of your home – you are more likely to be alerted as they come on, rather than having lights on all night. If you do have floodlights, rather have them shine towards your house – if someone is in your garden, the further away the lights the bigger will be the shadow.
• Don’t have your home completely concealed from the road. Make sure that you don’t have shrubs near your entrance that would allow a person to conceal themselves. Have you got trees on the border of your property that someone can climb?
• Remember – your house has five sides, ie the roof. It’s very easy to remove tiles… Secure your trap door and connect it to your alarm system.
• Try breaking in to your own house – it might frighten you to see how easy it is.
• Video or photograph each room, with the cupboard doors open. It can save you a lot of bother if you are burgled. Mark your valuables and record serial numbers.
• If you have purchased a major capital item such as a DVD recorder, TV, music centre, microwave etc. DON’T leave the packaging outside your gate for the recycling company  or Pik-it-up to collect. You are inviting passing unwelcome visitors into your home to remove the item. This will be more important at Christmas time.
• Store seldom-used valuables off-site.
• Why do we tend to store valuables in the main bedroom? Rather find another place!
• Crooks are resourceful… How accessible is your mail box to the street? Do you lock it? Could someone remove a bank statement and get your bank account details? What can you do to improve the location of your mail box? When they’ve got your name, there are all sorts of scams, ranging from bogus Telkom employees, to calling you with “you’ve won a prize – a dinner for two…” Off you go – to return to a burgled home…
• NEVER leave your garage door open or leave ladders and tools lying around. Most garages have plenty of equipment that will be pretty handy for your burglar – and it saves him carting around a suspicious crowbar or other tools
• Don’t leave any information on your answering machine that would assist a would-be crook (“…The Smiths are away for three weeks, please call us at the end of January…” is a no-no!)
• Crooks love personalised number plates… “Hello Anita…”… Don’t display your name on your house or car.

Safety tips in a hi-jacking situation