WID community safety
One of WID’s two main objectives is to provide top-up security services to the Woodstock community. This involves supplementing the services already provided by the City of Cape Town and working cooperatively with the City and private sector to make Woodstock a safer, cleaner and greener environment.
While we work tirelessly to achieve these goals, individuals also have an important role to play in ensuring their own safety and security.
Here are some tips for keeping safe at all times:
BEWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
Vigilance is key. Look around you when you’re walking in the street, particularly after dark.
DO NOT USE YOUR PHONE WHILE WALKING IN PUBLIC
Few things distract us as much as our cellphones do. Talking or texting in public means all your attention is on the screen, rather than on the street. Wait to use your phone when you’re in a private area. While you’re looking at your phone, a criminal could easily come up to you and grab hold of your bag or other belongings. Don’t be an easy target.
KEEP YOUR PERSONAL POSSESSIONS SECURE
A laptop bag loosely hung around your shoulder, a handbag that’s open, a cellphone sticking out of a back pocket… don’t make it easy for anybody to grab your personal possessions. Keep them as close as possible – your handbag should be tightly tucked under your arm and you should consider wearing our backpack at the front.
EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT THE AREA YOU FIND YOURSELF IN
It might be a well-known crime hot-spot where you’re opting to walk through alone at night – don’t allow this to happen.
DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS OUT IN PLAIN SIGHT IN YOUR CAR
This is a point that cannot be stressed enough – do not leave items of value, or any items for that matter, out in plain sight in your car. Opportunistic criminals thrive on easy opportunities like this. Even if you’re just going to pop in somewhere for five minutes. Criminals need less than five minutes to break into your car and take the laptop lying on the passenger seat. Put it out of sight, preferably in the boot, or better still, take it with you.
ENGAGE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY
Knowing what’s going on around you makes it easier to know when things are out of place. Chat to your neighbours, both at home and at work, as they’re your first port of call in an emergency and your best source of information about what’s happening in the community. Information has an organic way of spreading among people, and knowing who your neighbours are helps to foster a sense of community, which in turn, makes for more resilient and happy communities and neighbourhoods.
SAVE WID’S CONTROL ROOM NUMBER TO YOUR PHONE
WID’s Control Room operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is here to assist in making Woodstock safer for all. Please report anything on 021 462 1205.
WID community safety
