Letter From A Fellow Resident

Hi,

I was parking my car at Block 10 level 3 multi-storey car park last night and saw something; a few vandalised cars. It was unbelievable! It is so terrible of people to do such things to another’s car, no respect what so ever. Refer to the pictures that I have attached. All these cars were sprayed with paint and were scratched. I hope that you can forward this email to all our neighbours to warn them that there are vandals around.

I hope everyone can be on the lookout for each other and inform the police and fellow neighbours about suspicious characters in our neighbourhoods. Could you also help to ask Policeman Pete to provide tips on how to prevent such vandalism on our cars?
PS: Check out the crime-prevention posters I snapped last week, do you think they are effective? Thank you.

Jon from Block 3, Vic Street
(Edited by Daryl)


Pictures Taken By Jon:

Vandalism

How It Can Happen

• Mischief acts by serial vandals.
• Loan sharks using vandalisms as a scare tactic.
• Using of spray paint and sharp objects (eg to scratch cars).
• Removing parts from water risers (stealing pipe valves)

Preventive Measures

• Park your car in a place that is well lit. If you have on-street parking, try to make sure your car is near a streetlight or other source of light that stays on all night long.
• Invest in a car cover. A properly covered car is a deterrent to vandals as they it requires more time and effort.
• Inform the police immediately once you notice suspicious characters loitering around.
• Pay close attention for people who carry large heavy bags.

Robbery

How It Can Happen

• Loitering at lift landings or void decks to ambush the victim while he or she is waiting to take the lift.
• Entering the lift as the lift door is closing and robbing the victim when he or she is confined in it.
• Using the pretext of asking for road directions, time, assistance, and taking the opportunity to rob you.

Preventive Measures

• Be wary of strangers following you or loitering at the lift landing and void decks.
• Avoid taking the lift with any suspicious stranger. Arrange for someone to escort you when returning home late.
• Avoid wearing excessive jewellery or carrying large amounts of cash.
• Plan your route and avoid dark and deserted places.

Housebreaking

How It Can Happen

• Forcing open windows, grille gates or doors.
• Cutting padlocks, and grilles.
• Gaining entry through the refuse chute, false ceiling or ventilation openings.
• Gaining entry through neighbouring house/shop.


Preventive Measures

• Lock all doors and windows when leaving the home unattended, even for a short while.
• Do not hide keys under the doormat, in a flowerpot or on top of the electricity meter box outside the house.
• Cancel all deliveries (eg newspapers, magazines, etc.) when you are away from home for a few days.
• Change all locks when your house keys are lost or stolen.
• Install security alarm system. Ensure that it is tested periodically and in working condition.
• Keep a lookout in your neighbourhood for any suspicious person(s) who are loitering. Call the Police at ‘999’ for assistance.

Current Situation

Crime rates in Vic Street are on the rise; with an increased report of issues such as vandalism, high-rise littering, shop-lifting and robberies.

Objectives

We are the catalyst, advisor and partner to mobilise the support of groups, organisations and individuals from the community to work closely with the Police to prevent crime. Specifically the objectives of the council are:

• to raise the level of public awareness and concern about crime;
• encourage self-help in crime prevention;
• recommend crime prevention measures suitable to the public;
• coordinate efforts of organisations in crime prevention

Our Vision

To Help Make Our Neighbourhood a Safe and Secure Place for All.