OBSID - Be aware to stay safe this festive season

By: Graham Porter, OBSID public safety

As in every city in the world, the best defence against crime is a combination of awareness and prevention.

Be aware of your surroundings and the people in them, you don’t need to be paranoid or suspicious of everyone, your instincts and common sense will usually be enough. Know your neighbours, keep in touch with them, and cover for each other if anyone is away.

Never let the mail or the newspapers pile up, empty your bin, or even better, get a neighbour to take yours out with theirs. Never ever let anyone you don’t know into your home, expected or unexpected.

Keep your security gates locked, it’s amazing how quickly a smart thief can enter and exit your door or gate if left unlocked.

Please report both crime, and suspicious circumstances to the Public Safety team control room on 021 447-1066, they can assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Remember the ONW/OBSID crime info map, updated monthly, can be accessed on, tinyurl.com/ObsPublicCrimeMap, and shows where and what type of incidents have occurred in our suburb.

Stay safe over the holidays, and see you in 2018, and remember, if you see one of the safety officers on the street, say hello and introduce yourself.

They really do enjoy getting to know the residents of Obs!