Page 4 - FWG_Issue 1_Feb_2022

Security

Keep your children safe Officer of the Month

ourways Gardens Estate is a RepoRting Missing ChildRen
beautiful and safe environment for There is no waiting period to report a missing
children. But outside of the Estate, child. Should your child go missing – report
Fseveral dangers lurk – particularly it immediately to the police and provide as
concerning is the increase in the much detail as possible, including a recent
number of kidnappings and attempted photograph.
kidnappings.
Remember to inform ABCD of
The last thing one should do is instil a the police should Child Safety
sense of fear in children, but a healthy the missing child be
sense of awareness of possible dangers found or return home Ask for help
can save a lot of heartache, and even lives. on their own. Bring a friend
Check first
Do tell
24/7 Security Services shares some tips for parents and children:
Walter Khomola
• Eyes always open
o Keep an eye out for loitering strangers and people acting suspiciously. Officer Walter Khomola found a
o Avoid being distracted by your phone when visiting public spaces. wallet in the road near Phase 2 and
o If you notice anything suspicious, move away and report it – remember, kidnappings immediately handed it in at the
happen in a matter of seconds. Control Room with all the cash and
• Avoid danger areas contents intact. The wallet belonged
o Avoid situations where you can become separated from your children or where they to a resident who had forgotten it
can disappear in the masses. on the roof of his car and driven off.
o Teach children to only visit well-protected and monitored areas where there is a The resident was very grateful for the
responsible adult nearby. return of his wallet and very impressed
• Stay in contact by the Security Officer’s honesty and
o Instruct children to contact you (or another adult) immediately when something goes dedication to his duty.
wrong. Children often try and resolve situations themselves, which could ultimately
endanger their lives.
o Plans change – but be sure to inform each other if there are changes in locations,
times etc. SEE SOMETHING,
• Details matter SAY SOMETHING:
o Children must know their own address, their parents' cell phone numbers and other
emergency contact numbers. Teach children this from an early age and 'test' them Please report all security-
regularly to ensure that the details are correct. related matters immediately,
o Use technology, such as tracking apps, to track the movement of your children. without delay.
o Ensure that you have the contact details of your children's friends and the friends'
parents. Often children are reported as missing when they are in actual fact visiting A delay in reporting
friends. = a delay in resolution.
• When things go wrong Onsite Control Contact details:
o Teach children that when somebody follows them, tries to restrain them or force them 011 465 5466 or
into a car, they must run and scream as loud as they can. Dropping to the ground and
screaming "this is not my dad," or "this is not my mom" will attract attention from 076 200 5280
passers-by.

Fourways Gardens • 2 • February 2022