How to stay safe this Carnival

The Community Policing Secretariat wishes to advise the general public to try to avoid becoming a victim of circumstance during this Carnival season 2005. Use the following Crime Prevention tips.

* When going out to a party, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Who is the designated driver? Always have a designated driver who will not consume alcohol, for a safe journey to and from the party.
2. How are we getting home? Always know which route will be taken after the party to go home. Avoid dark and deserted areas and stay on the roadways.
3. What is my drink? Never leave drinks unattended and do not allow anyone to mix your drinks.
4. Who is my washroom buddy? Do not go to the washrooms unaccompanied. It is not safe. Always have a buddy.
* When meeting visitors from abroad don’t overload vehicles with luggage. Doing so alerts bandits and reduces a driver’s ability to determine whether he is being followed.
Use more than one vehicle and travel convoy-style. Remove name and address tags from luggage immediately after leaving Customs.
* For Visitors. To help you secure your personal belongings consider the following: Avoid storing valuables in your luggage, eg money, passports, etc. Locked luggage can easily be opened and its contents removed. Never leave your luggage unattended. If you do it may be stolen. Do not boldly display your address on your luggage.
* If you are held up: Stay calm. Do not panic. Do not resist. Obey instructions. Be alert and observe what is happening.
Look for peculiar features; associate these with the robbers. If a robber threatens you with a gun, your chance of disarming him is small. Your best protection is thinking out ahead of time what you would do in this situation.
* Tips for parents to remember when they go out for Carnival this year.
Teach your children their names and addresses and also the names and addresses of another member of the family, in case of emergency.
Place name tags on your child’s clothing.
Ensure the name tags bear your child’s name, address and telephone number.
Do not give children alcohol. It is an offence.
Do not leave children alone and unattended over the Carnival season.
Keep control of your child when a band is approaching.
Avoid casualties or injuries by staying clear of floats and trucks.
Make sure your child has an adequate supply of water to avoid dehydration.
Do not have your child on your shoulder when you are jumping in a band.
Inform your children if lost go to any police officer in uniform.

If you are raped

Report to the nearest police station. There are trained officers who will be empathetic with your case. If possible leave a mark on the perpetrator, a scratch or bite. It is scientific identification of the suspect. Do not wash your vagina before being examined by the doctor in the presence of a woman police officer. Cooperate with the district medical officer at the examination. He must take vaginal swabs, which will be taken for scientific analysis in search of semen. It strengthens the case. Do not comb your pubic hairs. On examination, the doctor does the necessary search for hairs from the subject. Upon being attacked scream if you can.

If your attacker has a weapon, do not fight back, you may sustain injuries. If your attacker is wearing a mask, pull it off if possible. Be observant so you can give a good description of the suspect, eg average height, age, colour, race and tone of voice. Make proper observations of the scene of the crime eg name of street, colour of house, patches of grass and anything that may assist the police in solving the crime. Do not blame yourself for what happened. You should not feel embarrassed; it is the perpetrators who is at fault.

When going away from home: Inform your neighbours and your district police; Secure your belongings before leaving; arrange for the collection of newspapers and the turning on and off of lights; owners of firearms should secure them at the nearest police station; Do not leave ladders and other implements around the house to attract persons; Secure all windows and doors properly.