At some point in the last few months, the unthinkable must have entered our minds: we are no longer safe in this society. The question as to if we ever were safe is a matter of opinion. What matters at this juncture is the current situation.
Too often these days, we read and hear about tragic occurrences in communities and in the business community where life and property are lost. All of society is at the mercy of the thieves. No one is immune as the bandits pillage and, in the worst cases, kill at will.
Business owners and property owners must take the necessary precautions of protecting their homes and workplaces. It is their duty as stewards to guard against intrusion and events that put life and limb at risk.
More and more our spaces are becoming very dangerous to live in and work, almost akin to a battle zone where security is traditionally provided so the unsecured could gather and work in a relatively secured environment. Is that the kind of world we want for our children and for our children’s children?
The political, social and economic leaders in this country must come together and help frame a dialogue as to what kind of society we want to become. It is time to take collective responsibility for what is to be done going forward.
In the meantime, while all of society await this ‘coming together’ and the formation of a functional, national security plan, there are those who are planning their next attack, eyeing some unsuspecting business place and casing another residence.
In a society where there is clear stratification of wealth, how can each citizen afford to adequately secure and protect their property? Many are still struggling to provide food and shelter for their families and now have the added burden of investing in security systems and measures.
Most assuredly, this makes the poor more vulnerable; as has been seen time and time again, criminals do not discriminate. Here is where Government is called to act – it should invest the resources to expand strategies to support communities, including individuals at high risk. Everyone has a view on what a safe society entails, but it is the role of the Government to make that vision a reality.
Everyone wants to live and work in a safe space, and it has become evident that for now, this can only happen by working in partnership with local authorities and the Police. Schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch, Street Watch, and various environmental enhancement schemes can deter crime and help people to feel safe. Communities themselves can play a vital role in addressing these problems and helping their local neighbourhoods to feel safer.
Neighbourhood Watch is a partnership where people come together to make their communities safer. It involves the Police, community safety departments of local authorities, voluntary organisations, and above all, individuals and families who want to make their neighbourhoods better places to live. It aims to help people protect themselves and their properties, and to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the Police and by fostering a community spirit.
The bottom line is everyone wants to live in a place where they feel safe. Crime and the fear of crime are big concerns. There are areas where residents look on and think “we are lucky”, as they may have lower levels of crime than in many other parts of the country. But no one is immune.
Unless and until the Government can effectively implement strategies to tackle crime-related issues, we all must shoulder the responsibility of protecting our families and our possessions. We cannot let the thieves win.
