Over the past few months, crime has become a buzz-word in South African society. All of us want to live and work in an environment where violence and crime is limited and where we can excel without nagging thoughts of fear for our own and our loved ones’ safety. Also, the 2010 World Cup Soccer event is drawing closer and all of us need to do our bit to ensure the successful bid realises into a safe and secure environment for all our citizens and international visitors.

As long as people tolerate criminals in their midst, even hiding them from the police, as long as we keep on turning a blind eye on our family members’ or neighbours’ dubious deals, as long as we buy stolen goods and ignore the screams of the woman or child next door being savagely beaten and raped, crime will prevail and evil will triumph over good.

Who can help in the fight against crime?

No-one wants to become a victim of crime and therefore we need to muster all our support against it. No-one is too insignificant to play a role in the fight against crime. The unemployed person sitting at an intersection begging for a job has a wonderful vantage point from where he or she can observe the area and spot criminal activities going on. A domestic worker or disabled person who stays at home can keep an eye and ear on neighbouring houses and shebeens illegally selling liquor, especially to school children. School learners can pin-point drug dealers and report drug-related activities and farm labourers usually know rural areas best and can immediately identify criminal activities.

What can I do?

• Join the CPF structure in your area.

• Enlist as a Police Reservist;

• Mobilize against the killing of the police;

• Observe what is going on around you Churches and Faith Based Organisations can conduct sermons that address topics that afflict communities, e.g. domestic violence, rape, assault, theft, alcohol, drug and substance abuse, vandalism, gangsterism, etc.

Protect your most valuable asset: Your child!

Times are a changing and the technology boom over the past few years took most parents by surprise. Cellphones, television, intranet, x-boxes, i-pods and MP3-players are these days part of the playground jargon at every primary school. These have great educational and entertainment value, but it also poses threats like exposure to unsavoury or harmful influences on the Web and through other devices. The only way to protect your child against this, is through responsible parenting:

• Discourage your kids from watching movies that have an age limit e.g. movies that portray acts of violence, the use of obscene language, portrays the use of drugs, alcohol and other substances as “cool” or have scenes with explicit nudity.

• Buy your child a baseline mobile phone without functions that may expose him/her to pornography.

• Teach your child values, e.g. that human life is sacred, to respect his or her and other people’s bodies, possessions, customs, beliefs, etc.

• Help your child to find ways to control his/her temper and manage his/her anger.

Also:

• Refrain from using the TV as a “babysitter”

• Know where and with whom your child is at all times.

• Introduce set house rules and discuss this with your children and agree upon the terms there of and appropriate punishment if the rules are transgressed;

• Discourage your child from getting favours from strangers.

• Encourage your child to report any undue advances including touching by close relatives or neighbours;

• Observe your child for signs of alcohol intake, drugs and substance abuse, hanging out with known gangsters and experimenting with pre-marital sex.

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