J
jamster
Guest
OK, so as some of you know I have swapped the motor industry for the security industry. I became involed as a volunteer, trying to establish a security scheme in my suburb, because I was terrified for my family's safety.
I have been lucky enough to live in a fantastic little neoighbourhood, and we have largely addressed crime in our area. I have also been empowered with knowledge, and feel all the better for it. I am concerned that many others are blinkered from the nature of this threat, and what needs to be done to address it. We blame the government, police, corruption etc etc, but we do not take responsibility for our own security.
The reason for this post is to try and, in the most contructive way possible, give you a wake up call. Please understand that while it might be fun to debate my sources, experience and concommitant qualifications, I won't be engaged in this. Just trust that my intentions are good, and I am confident in what I say.
Over the past month or two, we have noticed an alarming increase in contact crime, with escalated violence. The reasons for this are fairly obvious. Economic, return of displaced illegal immigrants.
Levels of violent crime are of the same order of magnitude of those in major cities in Columbia, Nigeria. Yet in those places they live in compounds, are constantly aware of kidnapping threats (a crime which hasn't yet landed here). You will not be collected from Lagos airport by an unknown person - photographic ID is required and provided before the time as a matter of course.
The answer may be to leave the country (I genuinely believe that things will improve, but that is another thread), but while you are here you need to take precautions:
- Accept that all mature people in your family need to take responsbility for their own and the family's safety
- Secure your homes. There is no substitute for physical security (proper bars on windows, walls). Make sure that alarm systems alert you to intruders BEFORE they have entered your house.
- Don't leave doors open - even during the day.
- If you have a guard, armed response company, liaise with them, engage them, make sure that YOU are satisfied that they know what they are doing. In many cases security companies are part of the problem.
- Develop defensive behaviour habits. Maybe you could post tips on this here. My fingers are tired so I am not going to repeat what I have said in previous threads.
- Work with neighbours/street/suburb to call in suspicious activity to armed response company. If they will not respond, or do not in time, fire them and find someone who will.
- Work with community to find efficient and interested cops. Meet with them. Give them information as a community.
- Start an SMS system for everyone in the neighbourhood. Encourage reporting of all crime, as quickly as possible, via SMS - and tell the police.
- If you carry a firearm, shoot often, be physically fit. Rather don't, though.
- Make sure you can access your house quickly.
Most crimes will be launched from the public space, either doorbell pushers (lying to get access to your home), or attacks as you get home. These can be easily prevented by common sense.
I have been lucky enough to live in a fantastic little neoighbourhood, and we have largely addressed crime in our area. I have also been empowered with knowledge, and feel all the better for it. I am concerned that many others are blinkered from the nature of this threat, and what needs to be done to address it. We blame the government, police, corruption etc etc, but we do not take responsibility for our own security.
The reason for this post is to try and, in the most contructive way possible, give you a wake up call. Please understand that while it might be fun to debate my sources, experience and concommitant qualifications, I won't be engaged in this. Just trust that my intentions are good, and I am confident in what I say.
Over the past month or two, we have noticed an alarming increase in contact crime, with escalated violence. The reasons for this are fairly obvious. Economic, return of displaced illegal immigrants.
Levels of violent crime are of the same order of magnitude of those in major cities in Columbia, Nigeria. Yet in those places they live in compounds, are constantly aware of kidnapping threats (a crime which hasn't yet landed here). You will not be collected from Lagos airport by an unknown person - photographic ID is required and provided before the time as a matter of course.
The answer may be to leave the country (I genuinely believe that things will improve, but that is another thread), but while you are here you need to take precautions:
- Accept that all mature people in your family need to take responsbility for their own and the family's safety
- Secure your homes. There is no substitute for physical security (proper bars on windows, walls). Make sure that alarm systems alert you to intruders BEFORE they have entered your house.
- Don't leave doors open - even during the day.
- If you have a guard, armed response company, liaise with them, engage them, make sure that YOU are satisfied that they know what they are doing. In many cases security companies are part of the problem.
- Develop defensive behaviour habits. Maybe you could post tips on this here. My fingers are tired so I am not going to repeat what I have said in previous threads.
- Work with neighbours/street/suburb to call in suspicious activity to armed response company. If they will not respond, or do not in time, fire them and find someone who will.
- Work with community to find efficient and interested cops. Meet with them. Give them information as a community.
- Start an SMS system for everyone in the neighbourhood. Encourage reporting of all crime, as quickly as possible, via SMS - and tell the police.
- If you carry a firearm, shoot often, be physically fit. Rather don't, though.
- Make sure you can access your house quickly.
Most crimes will be launched from the public space, either doorbell pushers (lying to get access to your home), or attacks as you get home. These can be easily prevented by common sense.
