FROM MONITORNET: A NEW MODUS OPERANDI (and how to discourage criminals)

Recently we posted a few warnings from ADT. We requested some thoughts from MonitorNet as well, and received the attached most usable information … thanks to operational manager Theo Petzer at om@monitornet.co.za; website www.monitornet.co.za:

“Criminals out there have got a new ‘modus operandi’ if they want to break into your property. We would like to inform you how they operate in order for you to take the appropriate measures to prevent a burglary into your property.

First of all what they do is to cut the electricity supply to your property. They usually do this by switching off the main electricity supply at the DB box in the street outside. We have had incidents where they have cut the padlock on the box, switch off the electricity and replaced the padlock with their own – thus there is no damage to the doors of the box.

Your alarm system will then send us an ACF (AC Failure) signal which means that your alarm system battery will now kick in to keep your alarm alive and working. You will then receive an ACF notification SMS.

Unfortunately the battery can only supply the system with power for a few hours (depending on how old the battery is). In the meantime the criminals are waiting for your battery to run down before they break in. They might trigger the alarm a few times to see if the system is still active or not.

When your battery reaches a critical low power level, your system will send us an L/B (Low Battery) signal. Because this signal is now also seen as a priority signal our control room will contact you. If you are not at home and not aware of what is going on it is essential that we send out a response vehicle immediately. The B/L signal is usually a sign that your alarm system is about to shut down.

This is what the criminals are waiting for. They know that once the alarm system shuts down they can break in and take their time because no alarm will go off and no signals will be sent when entering your property.

If you receive an ACF notification SMS, and you are not at home, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can send a vehicle to go and investigate and we may just prevent a burglary from taking place.

The steps you can take to discourage criminals from breaking into your property are:

• Try to break away from routine.
• Create the impression that there is almost always someone at home, even if there isn’t.
• Close and lock all windows and doors properly before leaving your property.
• Don’t leave boxes of expensive appliances or electronic equipment outside where it is in view from the street.
• Trim bushes and trees so that criminals don’t have places to hide and make sure your premises is sufficiently lighted (especially the dark areas at night).
• Empty your post box regularly or criminals might think there hasn’t been anyone at home for a while and this might encourage them to break in.
• Close your curtains when you leave the property. If criminals can see what you have in your home they might be encouraged to break in and steal your valuables.

To help someone in need is your own prerogative but just be careful. There are people out there whose sole purpose is to rob you of your valuables.

They will dress and act in such a way to give you the impression that they are homeless and in need of help, but once you stop and open a window they will rob you and possible harm you in the process. Therefore, always be aware of your surroundings and people standing around when stopping at intersections or anywhere for that matter. Make eye contact with the people standing around. This will let them think twice before attacking you because they can then see that you are aware of their presence and ready to act to defend yourself.

Statistics have proven that it is usually people who doesn’t pay attention to their surroundings and who is careless in driving around with valuable items next to them on the seat (in full view) that gets attacked and possible even hijacked. Be cautious and careful. We don’t want to see you become another statistic.”

The above was received from MonitorNet. If something suspicious is noticed (LS1), report it to the JOC at 0861 571 911. Or – get direct; get a radio: It can save precious time in a crisis situation.

Stay safe