Cape Town has been labelled the 20th most violent city in the world by a recent international survey. The article doing the rounds has caused quite a stir, especially for people who live in areas they believe to be safe and with a relatively low crime rate.
In Green Point and Sea Point, the incidence of violent crime is reasonably low. However, the one criminal element that these suburbs still battle with is car break-ins.
Stop your car from becoming a break-in statistic
- Put things away before you park – Make sure your valuables are out of sight before you arrive at your destination so that no one waiting in the parking lot can see what you’re hiding.
- Don’t leave anything on display – This even includes rubbish. A potential thief walking past may not take the time to assess what is on display and just take a chance.
- Park where other cars are – There’s safety in numbers, so rather go for areas where several other cars are also parked.
- Park in well-lit areas – Thieves can get away with a lot under the cover of darkness. Rather don’t give them that safety net and find a parking space under a street lamp.
- Get smash-and-grab safety film on your windows – Safety film makes it considerably more difficult to break into a car quickly. The thief will have to hit the window several times in order to get into your car, which takes time and makes a noise.
It’s important to take the time to learn how to ensure that your vehicle and your valuables are safe when you park.
Simon is an active member of the SAPS Sea Point Police Forum and takes the safety of the area very seriously. Speak to Simon today about criminal law and your rights.