Thank you goes out to so many people who were asking what had happened
to the updates. I have been here and very busy with counseling but my
computer is on it’s last fragment of space and have a total of 6% space left on
the computer, even after deleting so many emails and old updates. So I
hope you manage to receive this update. I am desperate for anyone to
donate a new hard drive to this organization, so please help where possible.
PEDESTRIANS & CYCLISTS
I cannot believe how there seems to be people
everywhere you drive who just walk all over the road. What is
happening? If you hoot to warn them, they either saunter across to the
other side of the road, or they threaten you or some motorists have had children
who are walking, pick up stones and throw them at the cars. Pedestrians
should not be walking in the middle of the road, even if it is quiet.
Walk on the right hand side and not in a broad line with friends across the
road, you must walk in single file, so you can see cars coming and also be
aware that cars are trying to avoid pot holes, so they could veer towards
you. Be more vigilant in how you walk on the roads.
With the situation of no lights on streets and the sun setting earlier,
please will those people who have to walk or ride home, wear bright, reflective
clothing, or buy a reflector vest. Motorists not only have to worry about on
coming traffic, pot holes and bright lights on some cars (drivers whose cars
have spot lights DO NOT use them on roads, these are for bush roads) and it is
incredibly difficult to see pedestrians and cyclists wearing black or dark
colours.
Cyclists, please ensure you have the correct reflectors on your bikes
and have a light at the front – I do believe those laws have not changed; just
that everyone has got too lax in adhering and enforcing the law on their
friends. Also cyclists MUST use the cycle paths provided and not ride on
the main road. This is causing too many unnecessary accidents!
VENDORS ON VERGES NEAR HOMES
There are a number of vendors putting up their little
tables on corners of suburban streets. All very well, everyone is trying
to make money somehow, but it is frustrating to see when a group sits around
chatting to the vendor and the fences and walls of homes become the nearest
toilet they use. This is horrendous as not only when the rainy season
starts and washes this away, it could very well wash into your home where your
children want to play in the mud. The worst I have seen with a vendor and
her group of friends who sit on the road is by Fitch and Weir Avenues in
Hillside, yet again. The other is at Morningside Shops where the people
go behind the shops and do their personal business there. It stinks and
is horrendous.
WEATHER IS A CRIMINAL’S ADVANTAGE
As stated so many times before, weather plays a very important role
where the criminal is concerned. They know we like to stay in doors when
it is so cold or rainy. If we hear a noise, automatically we wait to see
if we will hear it again. Criminals know our psychi – how we think and
react. If you hear a noise, investigate carefully – DO NOT WAIT to hear
it a second time, it could be too late - even if it is cold or rainy.
Don’t go running outside with a knob Kerrie thinking you are safe, the
criminals do lie in wait for you and will hurt you. Remember their eyes
are adjusted to the darkness and will see you better than you will them, as
they are also ready to attack, you on the other hand are just assuming and not
fully prepared.
Rather always look around from the inside of your home, switching on all
outside lights whilst remaining dark inside.
KNOW THE ENEMY
AND KNOW YOURSELF
Taken from The Lowveld Against
Crime July 2008 RSA
Everyone should use OODA. This I have put into practice every time
I go out of my home.
Observation:
Observe your surroundings at all times – at work, while driving and at
home – and whenever something is out of place, you should recognize it
immediately.
For Example:
Stopping at a traffic light – already area scanned and suspicious
looking people noted.
Vital to teach your family to observe and what to look for, and what is
considered suspicious.
That is, if a person is armed, what clothes they are wearing.
Also observe your pets’ behaviour.
Orientation:
At any given time you must be orientated with your surroundings and know
what possible decisions can be made if something unfortunate had to happen.
Always have a contingency plan in place. For example when driving,
if you have to stop you already should have several options to choose from as
to where to go.
Decision:
This phase is the psychological impact that leads to action. The
decision is based on the facts that have been gathered during the observation
and orientation phases.
Here you make a decision that could either save your family or place
them in unnecessary danger.
With many contingency plans in place, the trick will be to choose one
and make a decisive decision on which of these to follow. Experience goes
a long way in this phase, but if you have taken all factors into account in
advance, then your choice will be a clear one.
Always have a plan B!
Action:
This phase is based on the decision that has been made and will ensure
the protection of yourself, family and property.
When you have made a decision, do not hesitate to put it into action.
The potential hijacker next to the road will now have to wait a little
while longer to steal someone’s car, as you’ve foiled his plans with the
successful implementation of OODA.
CONCLUSION:
This cycle can be executed within a second. It is a countermeasure
on the psychological aspect for the element of surprise. If you counter
the surprise, you negate initiative and take away freedom of action from the
criminal. If a person executes the cycle and the wrong decision has been
made, it can be rectified within a split second after applying OODA again.
RECENT INCIDENTS – BULAWAYO
I have been informed there is an increase in the Montrose area – this
will also include the “old Hillside” area as mentioned a few updates
previously. Be vigilant at all times, as we tend to drop our guard when
we have not heard of any serious attacks!
RECENT INCIDENTS – HARARE
From the Anti Hijack Harare
In May we
have had reports of smash & grab incidents in the infamous sites around the
city. The lights at Churchill Rd/2nd street extension (Sam
Munjoma Rd) still an ongoing happening. Now that winter is drawing in and
it starts getting dark earlier, please be on your guard … the thieves are still
out there. Keep all valuables out of sight.
Gate motors
etc. still being taken … so there is still a lot of theft in and around
Harare. Do not leave doors open for pets to come in and out, this is
extremely dangerous and an invitation to the perpetrators to enter.
LATEST TREND IN SOUTH AFRICA
There is a
new number plate hijacking trend. Hi-jackers follow you to a parking lot, after
you leave your vehicle, they remove your number plate and wait. When u come
back and drive off, they follow you. They then overtake you, displaying your
number plate out of
their window as if you just lost it and they want to give it back to you.
When you stop to get your number plate back, guns come out and they take the
car. Maybe even take you and your car. It's a very well rehearsed and organised
plan and everything happens very quickly. Other motorists may not be aware what
is happening as you stopped the car yourself.
CLAMPING AND TOWING
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 63 OF 2015 [Bulawayo City Council
Clamping and Tow
Away] By-Laws, 2015. GOVERNMENT GAZETTE Vol.XC111,
No.37, 15 MAY, 2015
Wheel clamping and tow away
4(1) Any authorised person may, if he or she has
reason to believe that a violation of traffic bylaws referred to in the
schedule has been committed-
(a) Immobilise or cause such motor vehicle to be
immobilised by way of a wheel clamp; and
(b) If the motor vehicle has not been claimed and the
relevant charges incidental thereto paid, subsequently remove and tow away the
motor vehicle to a secure compound after a period of at least two hours has
lapsed.
2(1) Where the motor vehicle is obstructing traffic,
an authorised person may not clamp the
vehicle first but shall immediately remove and tow
away the motor vehicle to a secure compound.
4(4) A motor vehicle removed to a secure compound
shall be released upon payment by the
owner of such motor vehicle of-
(a) The prescribed fine; and
(b) Wheel clamping, tow away and storage charges
specified in the schedule.
Unclaimed vehicles
5 (1) Council shall publish in any newspaper
circulating within the Council area a list of vehicles immobilised and advise
the owners to claim the vehicles within a period of thirty days.
(2) Council shall sell by public auction any vehicle
that remains unclaimed thirty days after a notice has been published.
Offences
1(5)(d)(i) Passenger boards passenger service
vehicle/vehicle or any motor vehicle at an undesignated zone USD5.00.
8 1(8) Park motor vehicle (during normal working
hours) which does not display a valid prepaid parking disc or failure to
display a valid prepaid parking disc USD10.00.
24 2(3)f Throw litter out of motor vehicle USD5.00
32 2(12)1 Taxi cab carry more than three passengers at
the back seat(s) USD5.00 per
extra passenger.
Members of the public are hereby advised to avoid
inconveniences by abiding to the By-
Laws and displaying valid pre-paid parking discs.
Discs are on sale at the Municipal Revenue
Hall at the following prices:
· Quarterly Pre-Paid Parking disc (3 Months) US$36.35
· 30 minute zone booklet US$20.00
· Hour zone booklet US$17.00
· 2hour zone US$13.00
COUNSELLING AVAILABLE
There are still a number of people getting beaten up in home robberies
or whilst walking on the roads, children getting traumatized from the break-in
or violent attack. Remember children suffer just as adults, and victims
need to talk it out. So if you are a concerned parent, please organize
for the child to see me or someone who will listen. Please do not
hesitate to contact me for counseling or a shoulder to cry on.
Crime Awareness is into its 15th year of operation in
Bulawayo and I am into my 18th year since being involved with the
Anti Hijack Trust in Harare. Years of experience and I have managed to
guide a number of people around Zimbabwe into operating business-like affairs
in conjunction with Neighbourhood Watch etc.
I do not charge for counseling victims – they are survivors in my eyes –
so naturally I still need a great deal of donations and support from the
communities that I hold dear to my heart.
WISH LIST
If any company or individual wants to donate something towards Crime
Awareness Bulawayo, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please assist where possible
·
URGENTLY
REQUIRED – New COMPUTER hard drive, keyboard and mouse – mine is just too old
and very nearly ready to pack in!! WHICH YOU WILL KNOW WHEN THE UPDATES STOP
ALL TOGETHER………
·
Stationery –
new printer cartridges for Canon being black 512 and colour 513, and any other
stationery – especially as I need to print out my updates and have hard copies!
·
Payment
towards ADSL - only US$ 25 a month
·
Fuel is always
needed
THANK YOU to REGULAR SPONSORS
I have the following companies and individuals to
thank for donations and services already received this year and going to
continue:
Acacia Insurance
Apollo Tyres (originally Dunlop Zimbabwe
and they still make Dunlop Tyres)
Comp-IT
Compu Pro
Farm Fresh
Fawcett Security
Femina Garments
Iway Africa (Mweb)
Mine Machines
Safari Insurance Brokers
Safeguard Bulawayo
Trentyre Bulawayo
Toyota Bulawayo
Whitehead
All the people who give me words of encouragement and
support THANK YOU.
CONTACTS FOR
THE FOLLOWING
I have contacts for the following:
·
Latest
Alarms and installations
·
Various
Lighting Advice and imported LED lighting – note South Africa is banning all
incandescent lighting as from 2016 – replace your lights now with LED’s.
·
Flood
Lights in LED 10W, 20W and 50W is available, plus flood lights that change
colours, all done with remotes to set up in gardens etc. Lowers all
electricity costs considerably.
HOT LINES
Crime
Awareness Tracey Conway-Burns BULAWAYO direct: 0712-701 323
EMRAS (Emergency Ambulance Services) in
Bulawayo:
09-62611
MARS (Medical Air Rescue Services Ambulance) in Bulawayo: 09
– 64082
POLICE
24 Hour
Instant Hijack Reaction Team in Bulawayo: 09-885479 (Stops Camp)
CID Central
Police Station Bulawayo: 09-75168 (Wk Hours)
CID Central
Police Station Bulawayo: 09-66306 (24 Hours)
They are fully armed. Call them if
you have been hijacked as soon as physically possible.
24 hour National Complaints Line (04) 703 631
Childline
Bulawayo (child abuse,
rape etc)
:09-888891 or (toll free) 882761
The Haven
Trust (a
transitional home for abused women and their children) 09-242071
Fax No: 09-286151 Mobile Nos: 0712-231 309 / 0775-174 443
Musasa Project
Bulawayo (abused wives
and families, rape):09-880112
or 09-882888
24 Hour Clinic
- Margaran House S.
Pairienyatwa between 9th and 8th Avenues.
Dr C Sururu or other doctors are on duty
every day and night
Tel:
(09) 60952
Cell: 0712 -
881 439
Know your police station numbers for your
area.
GUEST SPEAKER
Please contact me for any talks for schools,
companies, groups or questions on individual security, etc on crime@mweb.co.zw or cell phone no: 0712-701 323, for your
bookings or questions so that I can place it in my diary.
POSTAL
ADDRESS:
P O Box 9161
Hillside
Bulawayo
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