Washday Blues

That story I wrote on insects not being able to fly straight has now hit over 3000 readers, and was voted the top story on the site. That's a first for me.

The place behind me was burgled last week, which has me somewhat on edge. Apparently it was completely cleaned out: TV, beds, furniture, everything. That means a truck must pull into the driveway and these guys must just go for it.

I had a good training weekend, with two 60km cycles, mostly on the small chainring,





and easy, and a good run with Hennie and Barendine up and around Naval Hill, early on Saturday morning. After some warm days, the cooker has been turned back on. I am sweating here in my shirt.

Turned down an invitation from Ruth to have dinner with my father and brother. Was somehow tied up to a request to housesit her place while they have Christmas together with my sister. Quite weird. Needless to say, the house that needs to be sat in the most is mine, especially after the security scare last week. Need Andrew to install additional burglar bars, a driveway cover and I probably need to think about getting an alarm system set up.


I've also posted about 10 stories on reporter.co.za, so am going to give writing (for them anyway) a break. Ohmynews is going well, and will be able to transfer cash again by the end of the week. I need it too: new tyres, insurance, servicing the car, Christmas presents and so on.

Having Maria clean and tidy my place today. Will swim and run this afternoon. Am starting to feel stronger and faster again, and want to be really strong by January 20.


Crime Foil
Practical ways to keep criminals at bay

I’ve just heard that my next door neighbors have been burgled. Not from them, but by the new tenants, a young mother and her two children who’ve just moved in. She tells me that the burglars simply used a metal bar to pry open the security gate. She also tells me that the burglars made a clean sweep. They took the television, beds, furniture, everything. Now I believe the place I am staying in was also burgled previously. The rear entrance where the burglars got in has since been walled up and security has been tightened. So the question we ask ourselves is : how can we live safely in this country?

Actually, there’s quite a lot you can do. Start by having a look at this shortlist:

- Play the devil’s advocate. Think like a would-be burglar. Where would you try to get in? Now beef up the security in those areas.
- Develop a strategy. Let’s say there is a break in, do you have a strategy to deal with it say if you’re still on the premises? For example, do you know who you are going to call? And have a strategy for coping with a break in when you’re away. An alarm system, a neighbor (make sure you have their phone numbers, and a few others besides).
- Know you are being watched, and keep a lookout. Pay attention to the people you see hanging around. Yes, they may seem innocent, but they’re paying careful attention to when you’re home, and when you’re not. Pay attention to them, make eye contact. Make sure they see that you’ve got your eye on them. Sometimes when you drive away from home, go around the block and drive by your home again slowly, taking in whoever is standing around. Make sure they see you looking around. If you see someone particularly suspicious, speak to them directly. Simply say, “Hi, are you waiting for something?” Or: “Can I help you with something; you seem to be looking at me?”

There are more general stratagems which are also very effective. Go over and meet your neighbors. Speak to them. Find out what their experience is. Often other people have very valuable personal experiences, and it’s easy to find out what the trends are in your area. Bear in mind that criminals are already doing this. They scobe a neighborhood and then discuss their options. They’ve also tested what works, what’s effective and what’s not. Make sure you’re not sending out a signal saying: “Burgle me.”

Also, don’t allow people to approach your front door on a daily basis. Have them wait at a gate, or tell them not to come back. Be especially careful with workers (painters, electricians etc) who have access to your home. Supervise this access. Make sure you’re watching every move. Make sure they do their work quickly and then get out. Be civil, as rudeness may encourage retribution. Give, as far as possible, but with the understanding that it is a ‘once off’. Don’t hire people to mow your lawn or do your washing off the street. Make sure, if you have someone working in your house, that they are trustworthy. This can’t be overstated: how do you know your maid or gardener isn’t informing his friends where you are and for how long you’re likely to be away?

One thing you might want to pay attention to, believe it or not, is litter. I read a report recently stating that criminals recon a neighborhood, assess it, then leave colored pieces of litter on the pavement, driveway or gutter. It seems like an innocent scrap of garbage, but the color communicates an important message (I wrote an article on this topic which so far has not been published). Anyway, I have noticed a consistent stream of red colored scraps being placed right in front of my property. When I remove it, there’s a new flyer, or can of coke, or MacDonald’s container to replace it. I wish I had a CCTV camera so I could see who is placing these color coded objects. Red, incidentally, means ‘expect resistance’. In one sense that’s good news. I’m guessing a burglar would prefer to break in to a green coded place, where the message is: all clear. Of course, if they do decide to break into my place, they’ll probably come with weapons.

My advice isn’t to have weapons in the home. The death rate in countries where owning a weapon is legal (like the USA and here) is simply staggering. Very often weapons are stolen by criminals, or used in the heat of the moment or accidentally – causing untold tragedy. Have a system in place so that if your inner sanctum is breached, you can instantly communicate ‘help’ to someone who can help.
Be careful hiring a security company. Make sure other people have good things to say about the security company you have in mind. I’ve seen security companies abuse their free access (using codes) to townhouse complexes, so that either they sell the information, or become the perpetrators themselves.

Employ devices that simulate human activity. There are a few, including plugs that are designed to activate on a timer (which can be used to switch on bedside lamps, your radio and television). Use motion sensitive lights, and if possible, more than one. Try to put them where a burglar can’t see it. If the light shines at him from under a bush, or around a corner, he’s more likely to be unnerved and leave. Close curtains. If someone can see inside your home, they can also see you’re not there. Also make sure you don’t have a television waving seductively at a would-be burglar through the window. I know, it’s easier said than done.

It’s hard to overstate the importance of simply being alert. Be very alert. After all, your safety and your stuff is at stake here. Unfortunately, your adversary is not a wild animal but another cunning human being. You need to outwit your adversary. Get as many eyes on your home and the homes around you as possible. Remember to pay attention to the homes around yours too. And be curious. If you see a car that doesn’t belong, or furniture being removed in a hurry, call your neighbor and find out what is happening. Communicate regularly with neighbors, and form a network.

Once again, remove litter outside of your home. Although a security system is advisable, a good dog is even better. Get a dog that barks at strangers at the front door, and when it does bark, encourage it and give it a reward. Make sure the telltale signs of your absence (say, when you’re on holiday) are not going to give you away:
- locked gates and doors, a home in constant darkness with all windows closed
- mail piling up inside and outside the mailbox
- no car in the driveway
- a garden starting to go wild
Have someone visit your premises and make sure they give the place a once-over so that it at least looks lived in.
Finally, make sure you are insured, and that your windows – all windows – are properly barricaded. Good luck and keep safe this festive season.