GPSA Weekly Views

It's been a month now, how time flies? Been extremely busy at work and to be honest, too de motivated to post anything.

What got me this past week though is one Caster Semenya. The South African who's been breaking records in Berlin. Now this whole investigation into whether she's a woman, a man or an it is unprecedented.

What got me though is the mother of this woman - "white people don't like to be beaten by blacks" she says. What utter hogwash. This family is from Polokwane and obviously totally disillusioned about the new improved South Africa with a totally warped sense of how far we've come. This racist remark is off the cuff with no reason nor fact to substantiate such a statement. She should be whipped like the model who dared to drink beer in a public place.

"A distraught and repentant former Malaysian model, who was convicted for drinking beer at a nightclub, wants to be publicly whipped with her family members watching", The Times of India reported. Now that's setting an example for doing silly things.

Maybe the television news airing of this remark by Casters' mother was just to showcase how much the hatred for all representing the white is still eating at the core of our society. Shame on you!

I received an interesting e-mail from Justin concerning burglaries -

Dr. Rudolph Zinn of the School of Criminal Justice at UNISA did Intensive research on residential robberies and attacks, and interviewed many arrested and convicted robbers. Some of his findings are alarming, some are surprising - but they are all well worth taking note of. Then make your own conclusion and beef up your ideas and security where necessary.

a.. During the past year, house robberies increased by 13,5%.

b.. Of the almost 15 000 residential robberies committed in 2008, half (50%) took place in Gauteng.

c.. The average age of a house robber is between 19 and 26 years.

d.. An average of 30% of all house robbers have either committed murder, or won't hesitate to commit murder.

e.. Only 17% of house robbers are foreigners.

f.. Of all arrested robbers, 90% had no matric or were unemployed. The 10% who had been employed, gave up their jobs when confirming how much they could "earn" from a robbery.

g.. Most victims or targets are affluent persons who openly display their wealth, e.g. expensive cars, jewellery, up market homes.

h.. Much intelligence is gathered about the target home and its residents by means of inside information supplied by domestic workers.

i..  80% of residential robberies are committed with the help of information from domestic workers, gardeners and former employees.

j.. The robbers will monitor the home and movements for as long as is needed to formulate a plan of attack - sometimes up to two weeks.

k.. All gangs research and monitor the response times of armed response companies.

l.. Most attacks occur between 19:00 and midnight as people are relaxed, busy cooking or watching TV,& security systems and beams are not activated. Robberies continue until 04:00 in the morning.

m.. The biggest deterrent confirmed by robbers themselves, are small dogs that are kept inside the home.

n.. Alarm systems and armed reaction services are not considered a deterrent. Electric fences, closed-circuit TV (CCTV) and detection beams do, however, deter robbers.

o.. An average of R5 000 is stolen during each robbery.

p.. Surprisingly, victims of house robberies are only seriously injured in 2% of all incidents.

q.. Only 35% of robbers stole for basic needs (hunger, poverty), while 65% enjoyed the money and spent it on clothes, cars, etc.

r.. The average robber commits 103 robberies over seven years before being caught.

s.. A staggering 97% of all robbers are armed and on average there are four members in an armed robbery gang.

t.. Most attackers' homes or bases are a 10 to 30 minute drive from the target address.

u.. Women are more often tortured or hurt during house robberies.

v.. The conviction rate for house robberies in South Africa is only 7.67%. In the USA it is 53%.

While these statistics and facts may be disturbing, even alarming, we trust that it may sharpen the vigilance of each member. If you have safety measures at your home, ensure that they are in place. Test your security equipment regularly... never be complacent and think that it only happens to other people.

Let's have your ideas -

Message Board
Free Forums by Bravenet.com