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Many people fall into the trap of developing what is known as the “Laager mentality”. This is a reference to the “Boer Treks” when they would move their wagons into a large circle called a Laager whenever setting up camp for the night. The wagons would create a barrier against wild animals and possible attackers, and allowed the travelers some form of security inside the circle.
By developing the high walls with electric fences and spikes, many residents have created what they perceive to be the securest environment for their home. They try and live in a cocoon that keeps all sinister criminals from entering their private home. Now generally this does work, especially where petty theft is concerned and for preventing home burglaries. However when it comes to the more sinister armed robbery, this system has some limitations. The most obvious is when the robbers use your own point of access to gain entry to the premises. By this we mean they typically hold a gun to your head as you come home and get you to open the door for them.
At this point the biggest problem with the laager or cocoon becomes apparent, namely once they are inside the house they have as much time as they want to do whatever they want. No one can see into your property, so no one is likely to notice anything suspicious.
It is also amazing that from all the robbery scenes we have had the displeasure to attend, the neighbours have been totally oblivious to the events unfolding close by to them.
The solution is to become involved in your community and get to know your neighbours. By this we simply mean, introduce yourself and become acquaintances. You don’t have to be best buddies, but regular chats in the street are where we suggest you try and get the relationship to. The reason is simple. We want you to create a community in your own street where families are outside chatting to neighbours and kids are playing when the prime hijacking time occurs, namely late afternoon and early evening when people are coming home from work.
It makes it very difficult for a robber to commit a hijacking or driveway robbery when there are several other people in the road as witnesses. The risk is just too high for him. You need to become a little nosey with your neighbours too. People need to start sharing information on topics such as the following:
- Who else is allowed on their premises such as domestics or tenants.
- Who the latest boyfriends are that might be found hanging around the house.
- Are any contractors likely to be around such as builders, plumbers, electricians, Telkom.
- Do you have the cell phone numbers of everyone in your street?
- Do they run any home businesses in which clients may visit.
With this information you should be able to determine who is suspiciously hanging around your street. Robbers will often canvass their future house robbery victims in order to get an idea of their target. If nosey neighbours are able to see these suspicious people loitering in their street and this information is given to the local security company or to the police, then these people can be searched and checked out. This not a pleasant environment for a potential robber to be in. They will choose to rather scout somewhere else.
You need to create an environment where you can see into your neighbours yards. Its very difficult to load a car full of electronic equipment with the neighbours looking on. Now we’re not suggesting you tear down those 8 foot walls, but you may need to be a little brave and allow your neighbours to see into your front yard. Maybe even install cameras that allow several of you to monitor each others front yards at will. What you lose in privacy you gain in security.
People that are unknown to your local community and yet found in your street need to be confronted and questioned as to what they are doing here. This does not necessarily have to be aggressive. You can simply offer to help them find what they are looking for - perhaps they are lost. Don’t do this alone and make it obvious that others are watching. If the suspects are a group, rather get the local armed response company to interview them or phone 10111 and report the suspicious activity so that the police can react.
You don’t need to live in your neighbours pockets, but you do need to create a relationship where you know each other by name and face. With a whole street of eyes keeping a look out, the robbers are going to have a tough time sneaking in. Its the deserted streets that are a robbers paradise.
Keep safe
The SelfSecure team
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