Crime is rife in South Africa. Many people worry about neighbourhood crimes that could directly affect them. Housebreaking and hijacking have become commonplace. Now is the time to take your safety into your own hands. Worrying about it isn’t going to deter criminals.

One way to create a safer home and community environment is by joining the neighbourhood watch in your area. Research has revealed that neighbourhoods with close community connections seem to be safer places to live. It is in these communities where members pull together and take care of one another. Crime prevention and proactive crime prevention measures are prevalent in these communities.

GUIDELINES FOR STARTING A COMMUNITY WATCH GROUP

1. Understand that the group must be affiliated with a sector community forum. Every police station has got sectors and every sector has a crime community policing forum.

2. Contact your local police stations and speak to the sector commander. You will need to present them with your group’s constitution, outlining its purpose and conduct.

3. All members of the group will have to undergo a clearance and affiliation process, under the sector commander’s guidance. Note that if you have a criminal record, you will not qualify to be part of a neighbourhood watch group.

4. Once officially registered (with appointment certificates), it is recommended that group members use branded materials (think bibs and vehicle magnets) to ensure visibility and easy identification.

5. For a community group to operate legally and well, all members must abide by the law at all times. Community watch is about working with local law enforcement to observe and report suspicious behaviour. Group members should never act on their terms or get involved in any law enforcement action.

6. To ensure your group is functioning at its best, you need to implement fast, reliable communication between group members. The Secure 911 App is the perfect tool for this kind of connection (especially as we’re never far from our smartphones).

At Secure 911, we are focused on helping you and your family keep safe and secure at all times.

All it requires is a simple download to your smartphone.

The result?

Access to free features like:

• Overwatch (to set up mobile community channels)

• Monitor (to track your loved ones in real-time)

• Chats (to contact other Secure 911 members in your contact list). Sign up for the Panic SOS premium feature and turn your smartphone into a panic button that connects you to a 24/7 rapid response control room.

Get smart security straight from your smartphone, get Secure 911.

Finding the perfect home is no easy task. There are so many things to consider before deciding on the right one. Location, size, and added features like a swimming pool are all part of the decision-making process. In South Africa, the question of crime is always a game-changer. This unpleasant reality has a direct impact on where you choose to live. This vital statistic will also affect the price you fetch when it comes time to sell and move on.

WHY DOES AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY WATCH INCREASE PROPERTY PRICES?

· INCREASED AWARENESS EQUATES TO DECREASED CRIME

Research has revealed that an increased presence of vigilance around any suspicious activity, decreases the crime rate in any specific area. There is always a relationship between local law enforcement and any neighbourhood watch group. This connection is what encourages a safer environment and increases interest in the properties within that area.

· STRENGTHENED RELATIONSHIPS

Neighbourhood watch groups bring people together, creating a feeling of solidarity and togetherness that is sorely lacking these days. Getting to know your neighbours can have a significant impact on preventing and recognising criminal activities. Wouldn’t you feel safer knowing that a neighbour is watching your home while you are away? It isn’t only residential relationships that improve through neighbourhood watch groups, business relationships flourish as well. Neighbourhood watch groups create a community that looks after each other. Wouldn’t you prefer to support someone who has your back? Knowing that the community members care for each other and look out for one another is an invaluable drawcard for any potential buyer.

· STRONGER COMMUNITY TIES

Neighbourhood Watch is much more than a group of people who patrol the streets at night. Many of these groups are involved in the maintenance, upkeep, and improvement of the area, improving aesthetics. If, and when the time comes to sell, the attractive location will spark interest. As they say, it is all about location, location, location. It is evident in areas where active community watch groups are at work is a sense of unity reigns. This feeling encourages local clean up parties or street fairs. Create a desirable living environment, get your neighbourhood watch started with Secure 911.

Do you have a smartphone? Do you want to stay connected with your neighbours, and members of your community watch group?

It is time to download the Secure 911 App!

Gain access to free features like Overwatch (to set up community chat channels), Monitor (to track your loved ones in real-time), and Chats (to stay in touch with other members who have the App). Secure 911 provides you with smart security with a few taps of your smartphone screen. The premium Panic SOS feature puts you in touch with a rapid response control room 24/7. Emergencies happen at any time of day.

Make your home or community safer with the digital smart security tool. Secure 911 is your lifeline whenever, and wherever you are.

Download the App today!