RELOCATING TO A NEW PLACE ? HERE IS WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER DO IT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT!

A friend of mine woke up one night to a sight of several burglars surrounding the bed where he was sleeping with his wife. They were armed with bricks, iron bars to mention only a few. They intimidated him and demanded money so my desperate friend gave them all he had. Before they left they collected other valuables they could lay their hands on like his wife’s iPhone and Mac Book. Besides the trauma they fortunately received minor physical harm.

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OUR BLUNDER 

A week earlier my friend had called me so that I could help him to relocate to a new place. We used a T35 truck  to transport his house hold goods and it was in broad day light. So at the new place the entire neighbourhood had a good look of the new comers and their property. This was the biggest security error we made. We gave criminal intelligence in the area a great opportunity to collect sufficient data  about us. At the house there where strangers "finishing up" renovations and these also had a good opportunity to have a closer look and gather information.

THE FATEFUL NIGHT

After such a very successful intelligence data collection - thanks to our naivety in relocating in broad day light – the criminals launched a smooth flowing operation on the fateful night. They came through the kitchen and they had keys! My friend later in the morning discovered the kitchen door opened but the mortice lock was not damaged an indication that they had keys. Having all information needed in order to steal this was a very easy raid and I imagine them whistling as they walked in. But stealing an iPhone was a blunder they could later regret thanks to technology. The GPS system allows the tracking of a device once its switched on. So because of this and with the cooperation of ZRP’s Criminal Investigation Department ( CID) we managed to track one criminal to Greendale shops Harare. He was arrested, successfully convicted and he is now in prison. The rest are still at large.

LESSONS LEARNT

1. NEVER RELOCATE DURING THE DAY

Never relocate during the day. This is the first line of defense. The best situation is that no one in the new area should see you moving in but they should discover your presence probably as they see you regularly walking on the road. Relocating during the day gives criminals an opportunity to gather intelligence information about you. As a new comer you are a big target so your security is of paramount importance during the early days.

2. GET SECURITY SERVICES DURING THE EARLY DAYS

Favorite security measure.

Criminals are stubborn. Even if you beat them at first they will still want to try their luck on you. So I think for the sack of your security, that of loved ones and property another security measure should be taken which is engaging security services during the early days. I prefer security guards with those ugly looking dogs or security guards who are armed. The idea is that you should create an early perception that is strong in them that any criminal raids on you, loved ones or property will be at their own risk!