Tintswalo Property Group has installed an anti-jamming device at its Lonehill Shopping Centre to alert security to vehicle lock-jamming so they can react immediately and catch perpetrators. Security guards also patrol the premises and keep an eye out for any suspicious people roaming around the parking area, making sure safety is of the highest class.
Image: © Ronald Hudson - Fotolia.com
The detection device vibrates when it picks up jamming activity from approximately 100 meters in undercover parking areas and 200 meters in open parking areas. At the end of each day, a reconciliation is taken of every activation picked up on the device and the device history is kept on file in case of future complaints from shoppers.
"While the festive atmosphere usually makes everyone feel good and ready to spend money, shoppers must remember that the season to be jolly is also the season to be vigilant," says Michelle Conradie, GM of the Tintswalo Property Group.
"As mall owners, the group invests a lot of effort and money in protecting shoppers to ensure that they can have peace of mind while shopping at our centres."
Safety tips
- Park your car close to other cars and people to ensure that you do not have to walk alone to and from remote areas
- Park in a well-lit parking space, especially at night.
- Ensure that you keep your bag closed when walking around in public and do not leave your bag unattended in a trolley while you shop.
- When you visit the restrooms in a mall, hang your bag from the door hook rather than leaving it on the floor where it can be snatched by thieves lurking in cubicles.
- Never leave your bag hanging over the back of your chair at a restaurant as it makes an easy target for criminals passing by.
- Do not carry large amounts of money for shopping. Where possible, rather use a debit or credit card.
- Have your key ready when walking to your car. If you have to stand and search for your keys, it takes your attention away from what is going on around you.
- When unpacking your trolley at your car, do not leave your bag or keys on the car roof because it can be grabbed by criminals.
- Lock any valuables left in the car in the boot and out of sight.
- Ensure that your children know of a place in the mall where they can safely wait for you should they wander off.
"With these tips, shoppers can enjoy their outings and shopping sprees without facing the misfortune of not so friendly festive thieves. Customer safety and satisfaction will always be our first priorities and we trust that with the new jamming detection device we've installed, our visitors will rest assured that their shopping experience will be a good one," she concludes.
