In the recent past a criminal element is moving around our malls usually in motor vehicles in possession of remote jammers, resulting in several incidents of theft out of motor vehicles.
- Please ensure that your vehicle is locked when leaving your vehicle to go shopping.
- Do not leave valuables in your vehicle especially which are clearly visible.
- Park in a safe area and not a secluded spot.
- If you notice suspect persons or vehicles, advise security so that the Police can be contacted.
- Be aware of your surroundings and be alert at the malls.
- Police , Mall management and security have been alerted regarding the situation.
- Let us together make Hartbeespoordam a safer place whereby life and property is protected.
[Advice on Safety at Hartbeespoortdam’s malls and shopping centres]
Safety from Remote Jamming
On the issue of remote jamming, here are some steps you can take to avoid it:
1. Most (modern) vehicles can be set or can be programmed (some yourself, others by the dealership) to emit an audible tone (beep) when the doors are locked and the alarm activated. Remote jamming interferes with your remote’s signal to your car, which is not received. If the tone (beep) is on and the car does not receive the signal, you will hear no beep. That is a quick way of confirming your car system is receiving your signal and confirming engagement of the locks/alarm.
2. When you lock your car – do it from CLOSE BY and LISTEN for the lock activation or LOOK for the stalk/lever/catch activation. If you attempt to lock your car and see/hear no activation, try again. If it still does not work, go closer and LOOK. If still not – leave the area and try it somewhere else – jamming is only effective within about 50m or so.
3. If you suspect any jamming, LOOK AROUND for People standing around for no reason (in a parking lot, most will be on the way to or from shopping – no good reason to stand around). Also look for occupants of parked vehicles. If you see (normally) more than one person in a vehicle, seemingly just sitting waiting (even looking totally uninterested or like they are sleeping) report the jamming AND the vehicle to security.
4. DO NOT EVER think “I’ll only be a minute.” This is EXACTLY when they strike. People that are “just going to be a minute” are normally the LEAST vigilant and are goal-fixated (they wanna hop in, hop out and go). DO NOT fall into the “short stroke victim” trap. The more likely you are to believe that you’ll be too quick for anything to happen, the more likely you are to be slack in your vigilance.
5. DO NOT confront or approach suspects or suspected jammers. Any criminal at risk or facing possible detection or arrest can potentially be dangerous. If you prevent them from escaping, they could become violent and dangerous.
I hope this helps, in some way.
Stan Bezuidenhout
Forensic Collision Homicide Reconstructionist
Managing Director
IBF Investigations Pty (Ltd)
Car jamming – Prevention is better than cure! https://t.co/IhVHRhHExf @StandardBankZA pic.twitter.com/dW7skiYTvg
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) June 1, 2016