Table View Police Station hosted a crime prevention and awareness talk on 2 June to inform the Table View residents on local crime activity, and discussed precautionary measures that should be implemented to reduce these crime statistics.
The talk was hosted by Capt Adriana Chandler, spokesperson of Table View Police Station, and largely highlighted concerns surrounding larceny.
Chandler discussed awareness of, and prevention against, theft from motor vehicles, as well as contact- and property-related crimes.
Although the talk focussed solely on the Table View precinct, the information provided by Chandler is undoubtedly relevant to other neighbourhoods.
“Never leave any valuables out in the open,” Chandler repeatedly reiterated, explaining that this is equivalent to inviting someone to take personal belongings from you.
Recent motor vehicle related crimes occurred at beaches near Table View where beach-goers, mostly surfers, left valuable belongings visible in their cars that thieves broke car windows to steal.
Another important point emphasised by Chandler is to check manually that car doors are properly locked prior to leaving vehicles unattended.
Refraining from doing so may cost you your valuable belongings, and potentially your car.
Car jamming is a prevalent practice across the globe, from which South Africa is not exempt, Chandler said.
“Be cautious at the Potsdam [Road] and Blaauwberg [Road] crossing,” warned Chandler, as opportunists regularly target drivers by asking them to wind down their windows and grab valuables from the car.
“It happens so quickly,” Chandler said, urging drivers to remain alert at intersections; should drivers want to donate money or food, they ought to contact local NGOs, and shelters, instead of risking their safety.
“Contact crimes occur when one’s attention is diverted away from one’s valuables and surroundings,” Chandler explained.
The public should be vigilant and conceal their valuable belongings from view – cellphones, cash, and wallets should be visibly displayed in handbags and pockets.
Chandler further advised against walking or exercising in public with ear- or headphones, as these items both distract the wearer, and betray the location of valuable items to thieves.
“Runners should also exercise in groups, or alternatively in well-lit areas where their surroundings are clear,” Chandler said.
Property-related crimes remain a regular concern within Table View, as in most suburbs throughout Cape Town.
However, Table View has witnessed an 80% drop in recent years due to active neighbourhood watches and street groups, explained David Harris, chairperson of Table View Community Police Forum.
Chandler corroborated this statement, adding that this trend is solely due to the active awareness of residents.
“If there is someone that looks suspicious in a street, alert the street group, or neighbourhood watch immediately,” Harris said.
Another important preventative measure is to reverse into driveways and garages in order to be aware of one’s surroundings and not be caught off guard by an intruder in private properties, Chandler explained.
