24Hr SECURITY SERVICES
Guarding Specialists in different Areas:
24Hr Guarding Services
24Hr Surveillance & ViP Protection
Armed Escorts

Residential Such as:
Private Houses, Golf Estates, Town Houses, Flats and Hotels

Industrial Such as:
Industrial Parks, Transport Companies, Construction Companies & Engineering work Shops

Retail Such as:
Shops, Shopping Centres and Malls

Medical Centres Such as:
Hospitals & Clinics

Recreation Centres Such as:
Libraries, Churches, Court Houses and Parks

Educational Facilities Such as:
Schools, Colleges, Universities as well as their Functions

Roadside such as:
Roadworks, Pipelines, Broken Down Trucks and Off Site Construction

Special Events such as:
Large - Small Fuctions, School, Weddings, House Parties, Funerals and Church Fuctions as well as Mobile On Site Monitoring of Event and Registered Car Guards

Security Control Rooms can be defined as a facility that houses an information security team responsible for Monitoring and Analysing an Organization’s Security posture on an on-going basis.

The Security team’s goal is to Detect, Analyse, and Respond to any and all Security Incidents or Threats, using a combination of Technology Solutions and a strong set of processes.

Control rooms are typically staffed with Security Analysts as well as Managers who oversee Security Operations.

The Security staff working within a Control Room work closely with Organizational Incident Response Teams as well as the Guarding Division to Ensure Security issues are addressed immediately upon discovery.

Control Room Operators Monitor and Analyse activity on Perimeters, Parking lots, Entrances, “weak spots” or areas which are easily breached, high-risk areas and more, looking for anomalous activity that could be indicative of a Security Incident or Compromise.

Our Guarding Division are also Monitored on Guard Patrol Clocking Systems and great Radio Communication.

The Control Room Operators are Responsible for Ensuring that Potential Security incidents are Correctly Identified, Analysed, Immediately Reported to Response Teams, further Analysed and further Reporting to “the powers that be” of where improvements can be made to avoid a similar situation arising.

What other benefits does a 24Hr Control Room offer those seeking around-the-clock security?

The key benefit of having a Security Control Room is the Improvement of Security, Incident Detection through continuous Monitoring, Analysis of Activity and Assisted mitigation of further incidents.

The 24/7 Monitoring provided by Security Control Rooms allow homes, businesses and more an advantage to defend against Incidents and Intrusions, Regardless of Source, Time of Day, or Attack type. The gap between attackers’ time to gain entry or commit a crime, and the Control Rooms time to detection is absolutely crucial. Having a 24Hr Security Control Room helps Individuals and Organizations close that gap and stay on top of the threats facing their environments.

It’s no secret that crime is a problem in South Africa and estate agents who spend most of the day meeting strangers and showing them around empty properties are particularly vulnerable.

Because of the obvious risks to personal safety, these real estate agent safety tips are essential:

● When dealing with a new client, arrange for the initial meeting to be at your office so that your colleagues have also seen them. Get as much personal information from them including a copy of their ID or drivers licence.

● Try and verify a client’s details before leaving for a viewing. You could call their work number or landline at home for instance to check if it’s legitimate as part of your real estate safety protocol.

● If you cannot meet at your office first and have to meet at the property, call your office before you enter the property and let them know where you are, who you’re meeting and how long you expect to be. If possible, let the office know the details of the car that the client arrives in.

● Make sure that your manager or colleagues have an itinerary for your day with details of which properties you’re showing and at what times.

● Trust your gut. If you have any concerns about a client, get someone to go with you. If you arrive at a property alone and feel unsafe, make your excuses and leave.

READ MORE: 6 Safety tips for property professionals

● One of the most important real estate agent tips is not to accept a lift from the client. Always drive to the property in your own car and keep it locked while driving there and after you park it.

● Always follow the client around the property. You want to be behind them so that you can observe them and avoid being taken by surprise. Leave the doors unlocked for easy exit and carry your cell phone with you at all times.

● Carry a personal safety alarm or pepper spray with you and make sure it you can reach it easily in case of emergency.

● Use predetermined code words that allow you to alert your office that you need assistance. A phrase like “check the water meter at 11 Smith Street”, will let them know you need help and your location.

● Try not to hold show houses alone – it’s better to get a friend or colleague to accompany you. Keep your handbag locked in your car and your car keys and cell phone on you. Know where the exits are and have an escape route planned if you need it.

Although there is no fool-proof way to prevent thieves from breaking into your home, it is crucial to stay informed and to know common burglary signs which may safeguard your property and loved ones from criminals.

Always stay vigilant!

CASING A HOUSE:
"Casing" is a term used to describe thieves watching a home, searching for patterns, and deciding on the appropriate time to enter and rob a property. Knowing how criminals’ case a house is important to help you take the relevant measures to deter possible robberies.

1. A suspicious car parked outside the house or on the road:
• If you spot a suspicious vehicle parked outside your street for a prolonged period and you are sure it is not your neighbour’s or anyone visiting them, this could be a sign that your house has been marked for a theft.
• Criminals use stationary vehicles with dark windows when casing a house to know the owner’s routine.

2. Unfamiliar persons strolling in your street:
• This is a red flag - if you come across a person pretending to be jogging or walking, but you can see them spending a lot of time watching your property.

3. Somebody photographing your home.
• This era of smartphones has changed how burglars operate as they can now take pictures of one’s house and walk away immediately.
o As such, one must be vigilant at all times to spot anyone posing as a paperboy, handyman, or jogger and taking pictures of your home or neighbour’s house. If you spot someone doing so, take their photo with your phone and alert the authorities.
o Keep a record of unusual behaviours happening in your area.

4. Newspapers, stickers, and flyers:
• Flyers and stickers are used by intruders when surveying a house to indicate if someone is at home or not.
• For this reason, have a neighbour or a good friend come over to your home periodically when you are not at home, to remove newspapers, flyers or stickers placed by robbers.

5. Unauthorized workmen:
• If you have previously allowed a worker from a trusted company to do some repairs in your house, then a few days later, another uninvited workman returns, claiming that some things were overlooked and needed to be redone – be aware!
• If this happens, contact the company, to ask whether they sent someone else to your home. If they did not, call the police immediately.

6. Markings around your house:
• Surprisingly, robbers have a subtle way of communicating with their accomplices when marking their targets.
• They do so by using random items or signs - that most homeowners ignore - to alert their fellow criminals that the individuals of the home are away and that it is an easy target.
• For this reason, take note of items (see examples below) arranged in a specific manner outside your house as it could be a form of communication among the robbers.

EXAMPLES:
• When you see two big stones placed together, it means the owners are two old individuals.
• White objects placed around your home say that your house is an easy target.
• Red objects (can be a soft drink can or cloth) imply resistance. It means that the homeowner is armed and can defend themselves.
• A “Z” drawn on a stop sign or on the road surface, suggests the homes on that street are marked.
• Blue objects denote the house as an easy target, and it has someone to assist with the robbery on the inside.
• Several stones placed in a row specify the number of persons within the household.
• Piles of small stones indicate that there are dogs in the compound.
• Green objects are directional markers.
• A swastika painted on a path means that the houses in that area are targeted by burglars. The direction of the swastika shows the house that is targeted.
• In the event, you come across unexplained markings on or near your house, remove them immediately.
• Do not ignore these markers outside your house because they might be an indication that people are planning to burglarise your house.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:

1. Trim big bushes and fences around your property.
• One might think that having thick high fences keep intruders off the property, but it does not, it serves as a hiding place for them.
• Consider trimming the bushes and fences to allow clear visibility.
• Install security spotlights or outdoor motion lighting as it is easier to hide in the dark.

2. Social media posting.
• Never underestimate the modern bugler. They have social media accounts too and will target their victims from such sites.
• Avoid posting about your vacation online as it will leave your home vulnerable.
• The use of geolocation tags broadcasts to criminals that no one is home.
• To be safe, avoid posting about your holiday in real-time rather post after you are safely home.

3. Farm security systems.
• South Africa’s farm attacks are very concerning, as robbers attack farms with military-style raids.
• To safeguard your farm from getting marked and raided, invest in reliable personal security systems.
• Install either wired farm security cameras or wireless cameras to enhance your farm’s security.
• Test the alarm system, panic buttons, sirens, and phone at least once a week to be certain they are in perfect working condition.
• Have an emergency contact of an individual living on your property who can respond quickly in case of trouble should you need help.
• Attend the forum meetings where there are discussions on how to prevent farm robberies in your own area.
• Enrol in self-defense classes where you will be trained to remain calm, think clearly, and logically whenever you find yourself in such an attack.

4. Dogs on the property.
• Most thieves want to get into the house and leave as swiftly as possible.
• Noise caused by dogs will be a deterrent for them.
• Keep small dogs inside the house as the robbers cannot calm them down as easily as they can deal with large dogs outside.

5. Keys.
• Even though a table in the hallway might be the most accessible spot to place your house keys at the end of the day, it can also be easy for a housebreaker to pick the keys.
• For this reason, keep your keys safe and far away from the window or door, also put your keys away at night.

Police advise homeowners to immediately remove and dispose of all markers and to keep pavements neat and tidy.

DOGS:
Besides casing your property criminals sometimes also poison your dog(s).

To identify possible poisoning note and be aware of the following signs and symptoms:

• Salivation
• Muscle tremors
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Breathing difficulty
• Seizures
• Weakness and paralysis
• Slow heart rate
• Small pupils

It is important to take your dog to the nearest veterinarian as soon as possible.