Safer communities start with you

There are times when it feels like criminals have the upper hand and there’s nothing you can do to stop them. But your everyday actions can make a difference, not just for your own safety, but for your family, your neighbours, and your wider community. Together with the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and security companies, you can play an active role in creating safer spaces. Here’s how:

Secure what’s yours
Whether it's your home or your car, make sure you’re using the security tools available to you. For your house, options range from simple security gates to advanced home security systems with IP cameras you can monitor remotely from your smartphone or computer. When it comes to vehicles, car tracking and stolen vehicle recovery systems have been around for years, but newer solutions offer greater care and protection for the families who subscribe to them.

Remove temptation
Avoid leaving valuables in plain sight, whether it’s through your house windows or inside your car.
Keep curtains drawn on street-facing windows and put valuables in the car boot or under the seats.

If you’ve bought big-ticket items, like a TV, don’t leave the packaging outside with your trash. This is a direct advertisement to opportunistic criminals. Rather drop off large boxes at a recycling depot.

Try not to park on the street. Even if you’re stepping away from your car for just a minute, it’s safer behind a locked gate or, ideally, in a garage. If street parking is your only option, choose a well-lit area, away from shrubs or walls that could offer cover to someone with bad intentions.

Lock away possible crime tools
Tools, ladders, garden furniture, bricks, and even your wheelie bin can help criminals break in. Store these items safely when you’re not using them. Only put your bin out on collection day, bring it back in as soon as possible, and keep it stored out of easy reach.

Be a good neighbour
Community connections are powerful. When neighbours know and look out for each other, it becomes much harder for criminals to slip by unnoticed. Introduce yourself. Exchange contact details. A quick message or call can make all the difference when something suspicious is happening nearby.

Keeping your curb tidy and your garden well-maintained also signals that people are actively present and paying attention. Trim overgrown bushes that could offer hiding places, report broken streetlights to keep public spaces well-lit, and pick up litter, which can be used by thieves as markers.

Be the eyes and ears
Law enforcement can’t be everywhere at once. That’s why it’s the community needs to keep an eye out. Stay alert to what’s happening on your street and don’t hesitate to report suspicious activity. Join your local WhatsApp or Telegram community group to stay informed and to quickly share important updates with your neighbours.

Play your part
There’s real power in community action. Support neighbourhood watch programmes, participate in local clean-ups, and get behind initiatives that help make your area safer. You can also make a difference by mentoring young people and helping children learn how to handle conflict in healthy ways. Building up the next generation is one of the most sustainable ways to fight crime.

You might not be able to control everything, but you can take steps to protect yourself and your community, and be part of the change South Africa needs. Commit to caring, because to care is to protect.