WARNING FROM POLICE
THIS APPLIES TO BOTH WOMEN AND MEN
BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE: A NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKINGS

Heads up everyone! Please, keep this circulating. You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into Reverse. When you look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view.
When you reach the back of your car that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car.
And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car.
So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys. Your home and your whole identity are now compromised!
BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED
If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later. And be thankful that you read this message. I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to women. A purse contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong hands.

The problem of VEHICLE THEFT in RIETONDALE.

Dear Resident,

Although there have been few incidents of residential burglaries in Rietondale in 2009 we are experiencing a problem with vehicle theft, attempted vehicle theft and theft from/out of motor vehicles in our area and in the whole of the Moot.

We request your kind cooperation in assisting us to stop these incidents by not leaving your and your visitor’s vehicles parked outside on the pavement.

If you genuinely do not have space to pull vehicles in the ARS control room can be contacted (0861 277 277) and a request made for special drive bys.

Please also understand that the guards are only trying to prevent an incident when they request you to park your vehicle inside and are not trying to be "funny". We have also brought the high incident of vehicle theft to the attention of the neighborhood watch. Please be aware that by leaving vehicles on pavements you are contributing directly to the escalation of crime by offering opportunistic criminals easy targets.

This affects the general safety of the area for all, especially those who are out walking and enjoying the area.

The following is a break down of vehicle incidents that we are aware of.

Please note that this only includes incidents reported directly to RHOARA/ARS. We do not have the statistics/information for the area as reported to SAPD Moot.

SAPD Moot considers Rietondale as a "green" area as the crime in the area is significantly lower compared to the rest of the Moot. ARS attends a security/crime meeting every Thursday with the SAPD Moot on behalf of the residents. Statistics however show that we are experiencing a high incidence of vehicle related theft.

Vehicle theft in 2007: 3 vehicles stolen

Vehicle theft in 2008: 5 vehicles stolen

Statistics to date in 2009: 11 vehicles stolen, 3 attempted thefts and 4 theft out of vehicles

Most of the above incidents could have been prevented if residents and their

visitors:

- did not park their vehicles on the pavement and left valuables in the vehicles.

- reported suspicious vehicles, people in the area.

Residents are also urged to be alert to 'targeting' tactics that are in use by criminals. These include paint marks, cool drink bottles, pamphlets and any other unusual items outside a property. Remove these as well as any outside neighbors homes immediately and contact the ARS control room.

Regular assessment of your home for weak security spots is vital.

Bathrooms are often a neglected area of security with weak burglar bars. Make it a habit to keep these windows securely closed until you upgrade your security.

ARRESTS MADE 2009: RHOARA would also like to inform that thirteen arrests have been made and the suspects have been handed over to the police for the period January to August 2009 by the ARS guards in Rietondale.

KIND REGARDS

RHOARA COMMITEE