WE’LL now focus on the final stage of the ‘Concentric Ring Concept’, so we’ll turn our attention to home security. Whether upper, middle or lower income families, there will always be similarities in application no matter what the range of affluence or difference in lifestyle is. The concept does not discriminate since its applicability is dependent on the existing conditions for which it is being configured and the intended expenditure that goes with it. Either my ‘rice eaters’ or ‘bin Terriers’ as against your Doberman or Pit Bulls: or, my rickety ‘palin’ stave fence as against your high concrete security wall, etc.

Notwithstanding, the common factors are quite often a fenced yard, dogs, steel grill, probably a ‘watchman’ and you may or may not be a licensed firearm holder.

All of these factors can be used to your advantage if you are aware of theirs’, and subsequently your potential.

Again, we will use common sense approaches that have been staring you in your face all your life. However, for reasons known and unknown such as  lack of discipline, pure ole’ laziness, time constraints (always an excuse), neglect to follow up, assuming someone else will be doing it, not double checking, etc – you have not been seeing them or they are not registering in your mind as being important.

What is good is that they are there and once your mind fixes itself on them, the WOW moment steps in. The illusion of helplessness disappears and you realise how simple it is to take responsibility for your own security. Simple solutions that are an intrinsic part of you and your environment, a great deal of which is cost free.
You realize how empowered you are in protecting yourself and loved ones; an empowerment which you have unwittingly transferred to others, which in itself has led you to a dependence that makes you think you are helpless, when in fact you are not.

As you think therefore, so you become. You think you are dependent and helpless and the mere act of that thinking traps you into a kind of mental slavery and fear bordering on physical subservience.

The transference therefore travels from the realms of the mental to the physical, to the weaknesses we display in the face of challenges and challenging situations.         

One of the saddest parts for me, is the recognition that though there has been tremendous social, political and economic changes in our country, somehow, we seem oblivious of the need to keep apace with those changes from the perspective of developing human values. Those characteristics which separate us from the lower animal kingdom, the ones that distinguish between man and beast and the ones we so quickly adhere to or adopt when in Canada, United States or England.

Ironically, while we have Churches, Mosques and Temples (Mandirs) in almost every village and we continue to build huge edifices to a God whom we profess to worship, the morals, discipline, wickedness, togetherness and love as a people, respect for each other, etc, across all races have gone to the dogs. There is no one guilty race when it comes to partying, single parenting, alcohol consumption, whether beer, rum or Guinness or lawlessness.

We have a different breed of young people who do not care a damn about respect and who are infinitely materially driven with no sense of their inner spirituality or knowledge of whom they really are.

They mindlessly follow the insatiable call for material things and sense pleasure which they seek to obtain by any means available. And you know what? We all continue to operate in the same mode as if we are cool with what is happening, or, maybe we are too engrossed in our own cocoon, in our own illusory world within which we seek an equally illusionary refuge.

We are all guilty.   

We recognize, “Dis time na laang time,” when we used to sleep with our doors unlocked and windows opened in the countryside.  We, simple country folk, coming from my own experience in Rosignol Village, could have left our doors unlatched during the nights and have a hearty sleep! Not to say you may not lose a yard fowl or duck, especially when it rains. But that was the limit. Not so today. The limit is your life. Times have changed and so too we also have to change.

When you are at home, lock your doors during the day or night even if you are outside of the home. Open doors usually invite the attention of curious people and bandits. I know it can be a pain in the butt, but better a pain in the butt than ending up critically injured or robbed.

Whether in urban or rural areas, day or night, always lock your gate also. An open gate is an invitation. A neighbour most likely will not pay any attention to a stranger casually opening your gate and entering your yard. He will raise his eyebrows and curiosity however, if the same stranger jumps over your fence or attempts to force open your gate.

When sitting on your veranda during the evenings or nights do not have your lights on. Sit in the dark, unless of course, you are adequately protected. If you must, always be aware you can be seen from a distance, while you cannot see who is watching you.

On retiring to bed, do not leave the lights inside your house or room on. Sleep in the dark. Your perimeter lights are what you should leave on to illuminate your ‘yard’. In this way you can see from inside without being seen by anyone from outside.

Some people usually ‘put on’ the lights and peep behind a window curtain. This is a dangerous practice. You can be seen. Always keep a working torch light near your bed side. Check it periodically to ensure it is working. You know the interior of your home more than any bandit. In the dark, you can be a formidable force to reckon with, providing you are “adequately” prepared. I will not here expound on what I mean by adequate.

Depending on your circumstances – babies, adolescence, teenagers, old parents – of which you will have to judge, lock the bedroom doors. (This comes with great caution. Escape route, access to keys, dress rehearsals, etc, must be identified or done in the event of a fire. Do not place all your keys on one bunch. Each room should have a separate duplicate key apart from those in the bunch). Each member of the family should be able to place their hand on their respective room key even in the dark. Know ‘safe’ areas in the home/room.

If you are a licensed firearm holder always ensure your weapons are loaded and in close proximity during the night; not locked up in some cage when you cannot quickly access them in the event of an emergency.

Remember, nervousness and fear lead to impairment of thinking and temporary disarray of motor functions. Time is essential. Before you opt to pursue confrontation in the scenario of a home invasion, think carefully and hard.

Weigh the possible consequences. Your family will have to know under any circumstances they are not to come out from their room unless you call them. Drill this into them. Leave no room for uncertainty and indecisiveness. Once you engage your attackers, go for the biggest part or the head. If you have been practising with your weapon, go for the head.

There is no bullet proof vest for the head. Remember it’s dark and it’s your house. The advantage is yours.  Remember too you always have the choice not to resort to confrontation. And this is nothing to be ashamed about.

Ensure each family member has a different phone number which they must call in the event of an emergency, either the Police, Community Policing Group, family or neighbour in that order.

This means, they and you will have to go to bed with your cell phone and not leave them in the study, hall or elsewhere. They must be by your bed side. Do not think about touching your land line, unless you have no recourse. Note, most likely, the connection would have already been cut.

Pay heed to your ‘rice eaters’ or ‘Bin Terriers’. Many of us may not be aware, but dogs do make different sounds when confronting people and animals.

If you are attuned to your dogs you will be able to identify this and know the difference. Whatever it may be, it is always good to check, bearing in mind the cautionary measures presented above.

Do not take any sound for granted. Sometimes we hear a sound penetrating our sleep. We listen to hear it again. In 99 percent of cases, if you do not hear the noise again you will go back to sleep. This is a huge mistake. If it is a bandit, he knows he made a sound, so like you, he too is waiting to hear if you will respond.
Both of you end up playing a waiting game with sleep dulling your mental resolve while he is wide awake and waiting. While you go back to sleep, the bandit continues his ‘work’.  Do not wait to hear a sound the second time. Take action.

Plan escape route out of the building bearing in mind the bandits would most likely have strategic points under cover. And whatever you do, do not give chase alone behind any bandit unless you absolutely know what you are doing and you are in full control of the situation.

Do not keep large sums of money/jewellery at home. Keep your financial transactions to yourself as far as possible. If you must go out do not leave bicycles, gas bottles, clothing, etc, idly lying about. Those invite petty thieves and drug heads. Put on your TV. Leave some windows open (if not easily accessible and grilled) and lights on.

Do not chain your ‘bin terriers’ or Pitt Bulls if you have a strong security fence. Let the parasites feel the brunt of their fangs if they dare desecrate the sanctity of your yard and home.

Be smart. Whatever measures you take when at home, put the same measures into place when you are not at home. Change in this case can be a big give away. Isn’t this ironic?