Introduction:

This report is aim at giving a brief outline of the current CNW operational initiatives aimed at managing
and reducing crime in our area. It is broken down into a number of sub headings and we trust you will
find it both informative and reassuring. The CNW has developed strong relationships with the large
security companies currently servicing Crestholme and in conjunction with the SAPS we believe that our
community is safer and stronger as a result of ALL these combined measures. Considering the low
incidence of crime throughout the area, compared to the higher level of crime reports recorded in
surrounding areas of the Upper-Highway, we believe that our efforts are working effectively and that
criminals are consequently seeking alternate areas in which to operate.

Attached for referencing:

1. 2008 – 2009 SAPS police report.

2. Anti Hijacking Precautions – Hijacking Awareness guide: Written by Louwrens Koen

PROACTIVE MEASURES

1. A secure neighbourhood.
2. A secure property.
3. A secure home.
4. A secure safe room.
5. Vehicle Safety – At home and on the road.

REACTIVE MEASURES

6. Personal Safety Tips

7. Points to follow and memorise.
8. Incident Communication.
9. Incident Types.
10. Incident Levels.
11. Entrances and Exits – Crestholme
12. Reaction Teams
13. A plan of action – Standard operating procedures in case of an emergency.
14. Call out plan.
15. Understanding Criminal Activity

Any security plan has to be logical, precise, systematic, and implementable; it also has to have proactive
and reactive components.

PROACTIVE MEASURES are those precautionary measures one takes to prevent the possibility of crime
being committed. Every household and/or neighbourhood watch must have thoroughly worked out
proactive plans to safeguard their community, their property and their lives.
REACTIVE MEASURES are the implementation of those formulated proactive measures. It’s a step by
step process leading towards a desired outcome. They are procedures that you have prepared for in
your proactive plans. They may be low-level precautionary steps or a high-level emergency reaction.
Every householder should have a reaction plan ingrained in his/her mind because in an emergency there
is usually little time to think out a plan from scratch.

1. A SECURE NEIGHBOURHOOD / STREET:

The possibility of employing a private Security Company to patrol or guard to have a
visible presence in the area.
The possibility of boom gates.
A Neighbourhood Watch with an effective watching, reporting, and recording
procedure. Patrolling and reacting are higher-level functions which would depend on
the resources, dedication, and mobility of the community.
Create awareness among all residents of the need to communicate and co-operate with
one another
Establish a communication network through newsletters, telephone, e-mails, radios, or
SMS systems.
A lack of care by even one neighbour can create a weak spot in a whole community
because, in order for criminals to get to an easy-target home, they go past your place
also. An entire street or neighbourhood should be seen by criminals to be unprofitable.
Be aware of all entrances and exits (foot, car or cycles) to Crestholme. Get to know them
well.
Visible signage.
Clearly lit property entrances.

2. A SECURE PROPERTY PERIMETER:

Proper fencing and gates. Flimsy collapsible fences and low gates are unacceptable
protection, as are gates that are left open all day or night.
Depending on financial resources, one can go up to electrified fences and auto-gates,
with sensors or active infra-red beams across verandahs or other open spaces that
record breaches. Razor wire also. Check fence condition regularly and examine for bent
over bits that indicate previous entry.
Very important are fence lines shared with neighbours; cooperate with them because
the road verge is seldom the only entry to your property and usually the least popular
with criminals.
Alert dogs are undoubtedly good protection for the perimeter, and when they sound off
don’t ignore them.
Each time you step out of your house, scan the environment around you, including the
gate and boundary fence. It takes a fraction of a second to do this and should become a
habit.
3. SECURE HOUSE PROTECTION:
Install an alarm system with magnetic contacts on all accessible doors and windows, and
connect to an armed reaction Security Company. External early warning beams are
advisable, early detection gives you time to react.
Ensure a cell phone always has enough airtime in case telephone lines are cut.
Install good exterior lighting that will illuminate the entire area outside the house should
it be necessary. Sensor lights will come on automatically if a person enters the sensor
field. Be carefull the light does not illuminate you – you want to be in the dark looking
into a well lit area.
Don't bring all the dogs inside in cold or wet weather. Rather make a warm place for
them outside the house. A small alert dog may be kept inside who will repeat an alarm
from the outside dog(s). Remember, however, that poisoned meat can be thrown to
dogs.
All accessible windows and doors should have secure and firmly-fixed steel guards or
gates. Gates should be locked at all times (day and night) when family members are not
in the immediate vicinity.
Don't leave ladders, wheelbarrows, garden furniture, poles and planks, or piles of bricks
lying around outside. These can be used to gain entry to windows or to take your stolen
belongings away on.
More and more outbuildings and workshops are being broken into now. Tools and
power machinery are being stolen regularly. Garages, outbuildings or rooms with an
outside entrance should be as secure as the main house.
At night, close curtains or blinds so that people from outside cannot see your
movements inside, or your belongings that might be in view (e.g. TV, Hi-Fi).
Do not leave all the house and vehicle keys lying on a shelf at the front door or on an
easily-visible hook. Hide them and keep duplicates in your safe. Anyone entering the
house or reaching through the doorway could leave with all your keys, to be used later
for house, garage, or car entry.
Keep records of the serial numbers of valued equipment such as TV, video, computer /
lap-top, firearm, two-way radio, cell-phones so that these can be identified if recovered
after a burglary / theft. Valuable items can also be marked with a "security pen" that
shows up under ultra-violet light. Stolen items recovered by the police can therefore be
legally identified.

4. A SAFE AREA / ROOM INSIDE THE HOUSE: A safe room is a place in the home that family
members can escape to in the event of a break-in. It can easily be set up as part of your
home security system. A room that is properly organised will provide temporary shelter in
the event of a home invasion and give you time to call for help. Remember, a safe room is
only useful if you stay aware of what is going on around your home and are not caught off
guard by criminal intrusion. Keep your security barriers closed and locked at all times,
particularly if there has been a surge of crime in your area. The noise of someone trying to
break through the barriers will alert you, and give you enough warning to escape to the safe
room and summon help.
An area or room inside the house should be able to be sealed off safely for family
members to prevent attack.
The living area and sleeping area should be separated by a steel gate or robust door,
and kept locked at night or when the house is unoccupied.
At night, or when you are out, lock all interleading doors so as to prevent or delay easy
movement by housebreakers through the house.
The safe area should have access to communication or self-defence equipment: e.g.,
telephone, two-way radio, alarm panic button, firearm safe, defence spray-can, fire-
extinguisher. Your most valuable possessions (e.g., jewellery, heirlooms) should be in
the safe area. A toilet and water supply should be part of the safe area.
Choose a room with as few windows as possible. The bathroom is often the best place,
as it usually has only one window to secure, and also has a toilet and running water.
Alternatively, you could cordon off your bedroom area with security gates, folding
security on selected windows and fixed burglar guards on the rest.
Protect the door with a high quality sliding security barrier fitted inside the room or
passage. This is especially important if you only have hollow core internal doors that
could easily be kicked open.
Fit sliding security barriers to the windows. These will be an escape route or used to
shout out for help, or to sound an air horn to attract neighbours' attention.
Keep a spare set of keys for the door and window security barriers inside the safe room
and easily accessible.
Have a panic button fitted at child-level in this room, or make sure a portable one is left
here permanently.
Keep the supplies you'd need in an emergency in a cupboard or on a shelf in the room.
Emergency supplies include a mobile phone and charger (some have battery chargers
available now); a first aid kit; a torch (keep a fresh supply of batteries); water and food;
defensive weapons such as pepper spray. If a family member is on regular medication or
is inclined to have panic attacks, keep supplies of these medicines in the emergency
supply kit.
Have emergency numbers stored in the mobile phone. In South Africa, the S.A. Police
Services recommend you use the SAPS Emergency line 10111. Add your armed response
service, a neighbour and/or relative, ambulance service, fire department and local
police station.
Develop a family plan for emergencies and practice it without unnecessarily scaring the
children. Part of this plan should include the instruction to never play with the
emergency supplies in the safe room.
In an emergency, try to escape first. If this is impossible, lock yourselves in the safe
room, phone the police and your security company and sit it out. Do not come out of
 the room until help arrives, unless there is an opportunity for someone to escape
through the window and get help.

5. VEHICLES

Whether you are driving your vehicle or leaving it unattended, there are security rules
to be followed. The number of hijackings and theft of, and out of, vehicles recently has
shown how easy it is for criminals to take this valuable possession and the things you
leave inside it.

Be aware of other cars around you and behind you. Take note of a car following, and
drive to a safe place (police station, filling station, or well-populated area). If you think
you are being followed, DO NOT drive home.
At robots, stop-streets, and filling stations, watch pedestrians and other vehicles
around you. Make sure all the doors are locked, and windows just slightly open if
necessary. If you are at a lonely intersection at night and are suspicious, jump the stop
street or robot if it is safe to do so.
Don't leave your bag, wallet, cell-phone, or any other obviously valuable items on the
seat next to you. If you leave the car, don't leave ANYTHING visible on the seats or floor.
Hide your house keys and gate remote button under your seat or in your pocket. Be
especially careful where you leave your car at night.
Don't ever leave children in your car when you go to the shop, or leave the engine
running.
Don't ever leave your vehicle on a lonely verge, unlit area, or little side-road, even
during the day.
Don't ever stop on a road verge, especially on a freeway (e.g. N2, N3, M10, M13) to rest,
or wait to meet a friend. If you have broken down, rather leave the vehicle locked, put
all loose items in the boot, walk away out of sight of passing traffic and pedestrians, and
call for help on your cell-phone. Vehicles that stop are not usually there to help you!
While shopping, choose a parking area with car-guards. If you have been to the bank,
look to see who is hanging around and watching BEFORE you get near to your car.
When you arrive home, DO NOT stop at the gate if a stranger is seen loitering nearby or
if a suspicious vehicle seems to be following you. Drive past your home. The short pause
while you leave the car to open the gate or wait for the auto-gate to open is sufficient
time to relieve you of your vehicle and your shopping (or even your life).
Do not park on the verge and leave the vehicle unattended at any time, day or night.
Do not leave anything of apparent value visible on the seats or floor.
Park inside the garage and lock it, or park in a well-lit area right up against the house if
there is no garage.
Because theft of wheels is common now, fit anti-theft wheel nuts to all four wheels of
your vehicle. All areas are experiencing theft of wheels, especially 14" and truck wheels.
 If you have a bakkie, don't leave any valuable equipment / tools / machinery in the
loading bin at any time unless they can be heavily chained down.

6. Personal Safety Tips

Know all emergency numbers by heart.
If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.
Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.
Try not to walk around remote places at night.
Locate points of help like of police and fire stations, public telephones, hospitals and
restaurants, or stores that are open late.
Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or
leave.
Inform people of your whereabouts.
Limit your trips at night or at least take someone along with you.
Watch out if people start milling around you. This could be a sign you are about to be
robbed.
If a stranger wants to use your phone and you want to help, leave him/her outside and
phone on his/her behalf.
Always appear calm and confident, and know where you are going.
Don’t resist, especially if the perpetrator has a weapon, give up your purse or valuables,
with no questions asked and move away.
Before you go to bed, pre-set the police station’s telephone number on your telephone,
all you have to do in an emergency is to push re-dial.
Do not wear extravagant jewellery in public.
Avoid carrying a large amount of money.
Carry a purse or bag close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Our personal safety
tip would be to put a wallet in an inside coat or front trouser pocket not a back pocket.
Always carry your handbag in such a way that it will not be easy for someone to snatch
it.
Security lights are an important aspect in the prevention of theft and assault on both
interior and exterior parts of a building, carports, stairs, alleys and patio’s.
Keep your firearms in a good quality safe.
Never leave your firearm unattended in a vehicle.
Do not wear shoes or clothing that restrict your movement.
When leaving your house for long periods, don’t mention it on your answering machine.

7 POINTS TO FOLLOW AND MEMORISE:

Loiterers or suspicious pedestrians hanging around the road should not be confronted,
especially by women drivers. Drive slowly past and try to remember descriptions of the
individuals. It is better to have a good description of one than a hazy description of all.
Approximate age, clothing, headgear, facial markings, build should be noted as soon as
possible in case of later enquiry. Also, note whatever they are carrying. Depending upon
your level of suspicion, a male driver may ask them where they are going or what they
are doing. Under no circumstances open a door, or leave the vehicle, or switch off the
motor.
If you have high suspicion, call your Security Company to attend the scene. Be prepared
to report to the response officer; don't just drive away and leave the scene unless you
have been asked to do so.
The Constitution allows limited questioning of suspicious persons on public roads if
there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they have committed, or are about to
commit, a crime.
If the road is barred in any way (by suspicious people standing across it or, say, by a log,
branches, or rocks thrown across), stop immediately and reverse fast away from the
scene, keeping low in your seat. Report immediately to your Security Company, or the
Hillcrest CIC at 0861 911 555, who will contact SAPS or Metro Police.
If you arrive at your gate, to enter or leave the property, and there are suspicious
people loitering nearby, do not enter or leave until they have moved on. If necessary,
call your Security Company to assist you.
Do not walk or jog alone on your neighbourhood roads, especially at nightfall, and don't
carry a cell-phone visible on your person.
If you have decided to patrol or drive around your neighbourhood at night, do so with a
partner and be sure that others know where you are going and your expected return
time.
Patrollers to follow guidelines as set out by the CNW.
If someone you do not know is at or inside your fence-line, do not go out to talk to him
face to face. Rather call from a window. If you are not satisfied, call your Security
Company.
If you suspect someone on your property at night, switch on all outside lights and dim or
switch off inside lights. Try to locate the position of the suspect(s) by peeping through
curtains or listening to the dog(s). Call your Security Company and explain your situation
and the position of the suspect on your property.
If you do not have a Security Company, or their response is delayed, call SA Can/CIC on
0861 911 555 and they will dispatch a Security Company or SAPS vehicle. Upon their
arrival, you may decide to assist by partially opening an autogate or shining a torch, but
it is not recommended that you leave your house until cleared by the security response.
If you have been out and return to find the house has been forcibly entered and items
stolen, and you do not have an alarm and armed response contract, call the CIC at 0861
911 555 and report the incident immediately. Security Companies and/or SAPS vehicles
 will be sent to attend. There is the possibility that suspects are still on your property so
DO NOT wander all over, looking at the damage. Your house is a crime scene and it must
be protected for Police or Dog Unit follow-up. DO NOT touch or move anything in the
house. If you need to phone out, use your cell-phone or a neighbour's phone; your own
phone may have a suspect's fingerprints on it, or the telephone line may have been cut.
If your house has been entered and you do have an alarm and armed-response contract,
your Security Company will have received the call. Stand back and let them control the
response. Again, no-one should touch or move any items in the house until the Police
have completed their investigation.
If a break-in happens at night and you are at home, the alarm will sound and call your
Security Company. Remain in the safe area of your house until the response has been
completed. Maintain telephone contact with the Security Company Control Room and
not with the Response Officer directly unless he requests it.
If you have no alarm or Security Company and you know there has been a break-in while
you are at home, remain in the safe area and call the CIC at 0861 911 555. Do not
attempt to apprehend the housebreakers unless you are certain of your capability. If
the suspects have control over you, co-operate fully with them, and do not attempt to
fight back. Watch for a clear opportunity to escape or wait for them to leave the
premises.
If you are suddenly attacked in your home, use whatever force may be necessary to
drive off your attacker, using anything that comes to hand. If that fails, then co-operate
immediately and wait for an opportunity to escape quickly to another room and lock the
door. Do not attempt a pursuit because most attackers are armed, edgy, and callous.
Taking your life is nothing to them. Phone for assistance, press a panic button, blow a
whistle, or shout to a neighbour from a window.

8 INCIDENT COMMUNICATION.

Two way radios.

CNW 24/7 Cell.
Bulk SMS.
Emailing.
Feedback Meetings.
Sign Boards.

9 INCIDENT TYPES.

The CNW committee has identified twelve (41) specific types of

emergencies/incidents as those most likely to either threaten or disrupt the harmony
in Crestholme.

Code 1. Assault
2 Business break in
 3 Business robbery
4 Cable theft
5 Complex break in
6 Complex armed robbery
7 Complex unit hopping
8 Dogs barking excessively
9 Domestic violence
10 Grievous bodily harm – pedestrian or home owner
11 Granny flat break in
12 Granny flat armed robbery
13 Gunshot heard
14 Fire complex/home
15 Fire municipal property.
16 Hit and run
17 House break in – free standing home
18 House Armed Robbery – free standing home
19 House property hopping
20 Intruder
21 Medical emergency home
22 Medical emergency complex
23 Medical emergency municipal property
24 M.V.A
25 Mugging
26 Murder
27 Person been attacked
28 Rape
29 Smash and Grab
30 Suspicious persons
31 Suspicious vehicle
32 Thieves caught - complex burglary
33 Thieves caught - house break-in or robbery
34 Vehicle hijacking
35 Vehicle hijacking attempted
36 Vehicle theft from complex
37 Vehicle theft from roadside
38 Vehicle theft from yard free standing home
39 Vehicle Theft out of from roadside
40 Vehicle theft out of from yard free standing home
41 Vehicle theft out of from complex

The Plan, based on points 9 and 10 will include elected base stations, a nominated coordinator, a
nominated facilitator/spokesperson and nominated reaction teams. Nominated homes will have maps
of Crestholme with preplanned strategies in booklet form. All contact numbers and above incident
codes will be issued to paid members of the CNW.

10 INCIDENT LEVELS
 Incidents are classified according to their severity and potential impact, so that
appropriate response operations can be implemented.
Level One
A minor localized incident which is quickly resolved with existing resources or
limited outside help. A Level One Incident has little or no impact on operations
outside the locally affected area.

Level one incident’s do not require activation of the SAPS or emergency services. It
may impact on local private security companies.
Level Two
A mid-level emergency - Level Two emergencies may require assistance from
external organisations. These events may escalate quickly, and may have serious
consequences for safety.

Level two incidents require activation of the SAPS and local security companies. The
Metro dog squad may be used.
Level Three
A major incident – This incident level requires broad coordination of SAPS,
emergency services (medical and/or fire), VEMA and Private Security companies.
Crisis/trauma response teams will be required.

11. ENTRANCES AND EXITS – CRESTHOLME:

Vehicle:

i. Crestholme and Inanda – Upper.

ii. Crestholme and Inanda – Lower.
iii. Daryll and Boundary
iv. Riverview and Boundary

On foot:

i. As above
ii. Woodlands – end.
iii. View Hills
iv. Umgeni View
v. Park
vi. Upper Rainbow
vii. Inanda

12. REACTION TEAMS REQUIRED PER LEVEL OF INCIDENT.

Level One: none – can be done telephonically or through the radio. If need be just one unit.

Level Two: Minimum one unit – preferably two to three with one responding, the second as a back
up and the third as roaming.
Level Three: All available units – as per preplanned strategy. Manning all entrances and exits of
Crestholme.

Understand the animal we are fighting today: It mutates; it will never be the same the next day and it
will always change, even from hour to hour. For example vehicles used in commission of crime invariably
change from crime to crime. Criminals often use two pairs of clothing (or reversible jackets, headgear)
etc to avoid recognition after committing a crime.

After a crime, we only have a short golden hour in which to operate. We need to move fast, and with
(pre-planned) purpose, without contaminating the crime scene, if we are to meaningfully be of any
assistance. Even meetings are historic and as such Farmwatch treats all meetings as report back
meetings and then also as project planning for future prevention.