Cooperation and mentoring between business owners should not just concentrate on business management advice \u2013 it can also focus on safety and security tips.<\/p>\n
So believes local security company Fidelity ADT.<\/p>
They said that in the same way that communities and private residents should help each other be safe, so should shop owners, entrepreneurs and SMMEs work with each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt boils down to forming a united front,\u201d said Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Security Group.<\/p>
\u201cNot all businesses owners have the kind of capital budget to invest in high tech security systems, but they can already make a huge difference by sharing experiences and information with other owners in the same area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are often the first people to see if something is wrong at your premises which make them the ideal partners in the fight against crime.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are also the first ones to raise the alarm if they see any suspicious activity in your community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
If you have just opened a shop in a new suburb, Bartmann recommends making the effort to meeting the people who also operate in the area as soon as possible and sharing contact details with them.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Five important security tips to keep children safe<\/a><\/p>\n Stay safe and don\u2019t fall into these common traps<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n They could also provide useful advice on existing community safety organisations in the area.<\/p>\n Not all communities have the energy or appetite to set up a formal neighbourhood watch, but this does not mean that there is nothing residents and business owners can do in terms of organising themselves.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t have a community watch, we suggest setting up regular meetings with the local SAPS to workshop ideas on how you can assist them in keeping the area safe.<\/p>\n \u201cIt could be as simple as just sharing tips and advice and having a reliable list of contact details for each other.<\/p>\n \u201cThe point is \u2013 we all have a part to play and we simply can no longer be idle bystanders when it comes to our own safety,\u201d said Bartmann.<\/p>\n He strongly urged anyone who lives in an area where a neighbourhood or community watch has already been set up, to become involved with the organisation as a matter of urgency.<\/p>\n The involvement could take many forms \u2013 from becoming a patroller to offering monetary or logistical admin support.<\/p>\n \u201cThe men and women of the SAPS simply cannot be everywhere all the time.<\/p>\n \u201cNeighbours \u2013 whether they are private residents or business owners \u2013 who care about each other and become active participants in the safety of their suburb can make a massive difference,\u201d said Bartmann.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we stand together with our next-door neighbours and fellow business owners and look after each other, we can make our suburbs \u2018no-go zones\u2019 for criminals\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n