Crime Alert, Help to Reduce Theft from Cars

In 2010, Inspector Chigoba, the then Officer-In-Charge and Sergeant Dube (MHSRIIP) of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Milton Park Public Relations Department approached me with a serious concern. The Milton Park policing area was experiencing a sharp rise in theft from cars (TFC). The trend was straightforward but worrying, people were leaving handbags, laptops and other valuables visible in their vehicles, making them easy targets.

As an ICT specialist, Sgt Dube initially asked if technology could provide a solution. My response was simple, not every problem requires an ICT system. Sometimes, public awareness is the strongest defence. Together, we developed the idea of creating posters that businesses could display prominently to remind people to safeguard their belongings.

We then engaged Mr George Chimhini, who kindly assisted by printing the first posters. Soon, they were visible in shopping centres, offices and community spaces. Their message was clear and direct, Help to Reduce Crime - Do Not Leave Valuables in Your Vehicle.

More than a decade later, the problem sadly persists. Economic hardships have only increased opportunistic crime and theft from cars continues to cost people dearly. This is why the campaign remains as important as ever. We do not need to reinvent the wheel. What we need is for every business, school, shopping centre and office park to adopt and display these posters widely.

As a Hansole we believe in using both technology and community action to fight crime. But in this case, awareness is key. Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility. By taking simple steps, such as never leaving valuables in vehicles, Zimbabweans can make a real difference.

Let us continue to spread the message: *Help to Reduce Crime and share this article*

Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi
+263772278161