Project teaches kids how to deal with crime

INLSA

Smash and grab thief gets cornered on Jan Smuts avenue near the busy intersection with Empire road. I was involved in chasing down the perpertrator who was busy robbing a woman in her car when I reacted to her screaming and jumped out of my car and started chasing him down lengthy chase ensued and I eventually caught him in a taxi ,I pulled him out of the taxi and used my tazer on him ,I continued strugeling and tazering him and he again managed to get away ,I again ran after him heading towards Empire road along Jan Smuts ,I zigzagged after him and another motorist jumped out of his car and fired a warning shot the man ran for another few meters and the collapsed on the pavement , the police later arrived and arrested him and took him to Parkview Police station , NB I have all details of woman robbed and man with gun. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 24/07/2012

THERESA TAYLOR

theresa.taylor@inl.co.za

Julie Hide quit her job in real estate to take on the task of teaching children about crime.

The idea of starting MAD Pups, which educates via talks at schools and community functions, came to her while she was waiting at a red traffic light.

“I was sitting at the robot and wondering: ‘Would my children know what to do (in case of crime)?’ and I couldn’t answer that,” she says.

So Hide got in touch with Penny Steyn, who runs the project Make A Difference (MAD), which educates domestic workers and gardeners about crime.

Steyn has been working with the SAPS for several years and was able to advise Hide about course material and ensuring that everything she planned to teach the children aligned with the facts.

The project began in June and Hide says she has already visited many schools.

“I felt passionate about this – this can’t be a sideline thing, I need to throw every waking moment into this project.”

The talk, which is aimed at children aged six and up, lasts about an hour and half and children are encouraged to ask questions.

Although some people may question the value of telling children about crime, Hide says they have questions in any case and know crime is happening.

“Rather let them get the right information rather than the wrong information. The workshops are designed to make children feel empowered rather than fearful,” says Hide. “As a parent I would not want to do anything to scare a child – it can be done in a way that’s not scary.”

Some of the information imparted is a correct understanding of the need to ask others for help, whether that be nearby adults or by calling an emergency number.

The emergency numbers are broken down and explained to the children, along with how the call centres and dispatches work.

Each child is given an information sheet to complete with their parents.

It has emergency telephone numbers on it and information that can be given to a police officer in case of an emergency. Every child also receives a Velcro identity bracelet.

For more information on MAD Pups, contact Hide via Facebook.com/madpups, e-mail madpupssa@gmail.com or call 083 677 1402.