Browsing by Author "Steenkamp, Douw Gerbrand"
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- ItemMotor vehicle theft: a comparative study(1999) Steenkamp, Douw Gerbrand; Potgieter, P.J.This investigation entails a study of motor vehicle theft and hijacking in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape for the period of 1 January till 31 December 1995. The present study is empirically founded and for this purpose an information schedule has been implemented to capture data from police case dossiers for statistical analysis and description. Data forthcoming from a previous Honours study in the Westem-Cape have also been incorporated for comparison purposes. The sample consists of 1331 cases of motor vehicle theft and hijacking in KwaZulu-Natal, while 372 cases in Western Cape were included in this investigation. Key findings emanating from this investigation are as follows: (1) White male victims in the age category 31-35 years were the most victimised through motor vehicle theft and hijacking in both Provinces. (2) The profile of the average offender of motor vehicle theft and hijacking comprises an unemployed African male person between 21-40 years. (3) The temporal frequency indicates that most people in KwaZulu-Natal were victimised during March, August and October, while October, September and May caused the most suffering for victims in the Western Cape. Thursdays and specifically early mornings in KwaZulu-Natal seems to be the most popular for motor vehicle theft and hijacking. In the Western Cape this tendency peaked in the early mornings of Fridays. (4) Toyota followed by Mazda, Nissan / Datsun and Ford sedan vehicles were the most popular objects for motor thieves and hijackers. The following recommendation have been made: (1) Greater community involvement in the prevention of these types of crime has become inevitable. In this regard empowerment of local communities through Community Police Forums could play an important role. Such involvement could stimulate greater crime awareness among the community. Shared responsibility as far as the security of people and their property is concerned, could positively influence successful order maintenance. (2) Security measures which including the installation of anti-theft devices should be prioritised by the public. (3) Specialised Vehicle Theft Units should, in the light of the low percentage motor vehicle theft cases referred to courts, be more efficient - considering the availability of modern technology. (4) Police involvement in crime syndicates should receive serious attention and, were applicable, be totally eliminated (5) Progress without research is futile. Greater liaison between the police and tertiary institutions (Criminology departments and the Technikon SA) will do much to stimulate scientific research in the interest of successful policing.
- ItemThe role of private security in crime prevention(2002) Steenkamp, Douw Gerbrand; Potgieter, P.J.Protection of life and property is an age-old need of human beings. Through the ages, territoriality and personal interest played an important role in the protection of life and property. The historical development of private security throughout the world displays a colourful history - from ancient to modem times. The birth of modem policing originated as a result of private security during the beginning of the 19th century. Since then, private security developed into a formidable entity - to such an extent that since the beginning of the seventies in America private security surpassed public policing. Presently, private security in South Africa has also outgrown public policing. The present study aims at narrowing the gap in our substantive knowledge about the role of private security in crime prevention by means of two structured questionnaires - one for public and one for private security respondents. The study aims at the following: > to record the evolution of private security from ancient to modem times > to compare the perceptions of both public and private security respondents in regard to the role and function of private security in crime prevention > to establish how respondents feel about security measures aimed at eliminating crime opportunities > to establish which precautionary measures respondents take to protect themselves. Research techniques implemented in this study are the following: > A literature study regarding a wide range of aspects pertaining to the role of private security in crime prevention. ** Structured questionnaires reflecting the demographic (independent variables) of the respondents as well as their responses on the dependent variable. > Non-probability techniques. > Frequency distributions and cross-correlation of statistical information intended to provide a greater clarity about the dependent variable. The findings of the study indicated that: > The role of private security in society in general and in crime prevention in particular have been rated very important by both sampling groups. > Specific functions of private security have been favourably evaluated by the respondents. > Specific security measures in crime prevention have also been rated as very important. > Aspects relating to the role of private security in society have been favourably rated by both sampling groups. The following recommendations have been formulated: > Special police status for private security officers. > Tax credits for individual security expenditures. > Transfer of specific public police duties to private security. > Academic and basic training for the development of private security officers. > Greater public police - private security co-operation.