5.5.7. Creating Job and Educational Opportunities
Implementation of programmes that will create job opportunities for individuals of the community, particularly those who have nothing to engage themselves will help reduce crime in Tongaat community. This study has shown that leaving them with no job will create an ideology of committing crime. By creating possible jobs for persons who have finished schools and sending those without a qualification to a TVET college strengthens the chances of crime rates being reduced in Tongaat community. The introduction of recreational activities such as different sporting activities is an advantageous venture to do in the community of Tongaat.
This will provide the community with enterprises to engage in and worry less with engagement in criminal activities.
Comments from the following participants help substantiate the above assertions of Natalie, Frank and Muzi:
“A creation of an environment where every young person is at a university or college or even training centres”.
“The municipality needs to find ways to create job opportunities for the community”.
“It is essential to expose the youth into educational extravagant to reduce the chances of them hanging around the streets and later committing crimes”.
Ali (2008) also made reference to the above by stating that the provision of job opportunities to the youth more especially can gradually reduce crime rates in a given place hence everybody will be engaged or busy to even think of committing crime.
5.6.1. Survival of the Fittest.
Two out of fifteen participants used the coping mechanism of survival of the fittest in a community much affected by crime as Tongaat. Participants said that they train themselves to always be ready for such phenomena should they arise at any time.
The two participants Ali and Viggy stated:
“It has become the survival of the fittest as you don’t know what will happen tomorrow, you have to make sure that as an individual you are well trained with any situation that may arise”.
“I have no particular way of coping, I live in hope of not being a victim of crime one day, I could say it is the survival of the toughest”.
The finding expresses that participants, in this regard, are always ready to protect themselves against any form of criminal act that can occur at any time. On this note, they always get prepared and ready to attack criminals with their own protective devices. The second participant in this case survives on living with hope, believing that they will not be possible victims of crime in the future.
5.6.2. Professional Assistance.
A clear majority of four participants has produced professional help such as therapy as the most influential and best method for a victim of crime to cope with the different levels of crime.
Mpendulo went to the extent of stating that:
“People should go for therapy of which the local municipality should start group therapies as these are expensive and some people cannot afford them”.
Based on the conceptual argument of the participants, the local municipality should made it essential for individuals to attend expensive therapies free of charge. As the municipality provides the area with respective forums to deal with offenders, it is also essential that they also provide the victims with ways to deal with the results of crime.
Ashmira who was once a victim had this to say regarding professional assistance:
“Seeking counselling helped me maintain a positive attitude and stabilize my emotions”.
This response clearly depicts that professional assistance is indeed effective as it helped her stabilize her emotions. There is an enough proof that professional assistance assists the victim of crime to move on with their life after the incidence of crime had occurred unto them. This may be also be linked to Leclerc et. al. (2017) who also made reference to seeking professional help where victims of crime can attend therapy as well as counselling in order to deal with the results crime has on them.
Other participants, Milano and Ngcebo responded with regard to the above point and stated:
“Victims should try and stay positive and get professional counselling”.
“Counselling helps a victim get back on their feet also assists with having a positive mind frame”.
Empirical evidence from above shows that professional help assists victims in developing a positive mind against crime. This positive mind comes in a form of restoration as well as having a changed mind set for the victim of crime.
5.6.3. Investing in Security Systems.
Four participants namely Adhir, Zipho, Hlengiwe and Thembi responded in this manner:
“I recommend the installation of extra security such as CCTV outside”.
“Install extra security such as CCTV cameras outside”.
“Community should contribute towards a security company which provides road side guards and armed response to decrease crimes”.
“Security companies to add more experienced people on the team and patrol all over and everyday”.
The study describes that one good way of coping with the effects of crime is investing in security systems which are installed to provide residents with security and protection. Such security systems include but not limited to detective alarms as well as CCTV cameras at various homes. This also prevents them from falling victims of crime. This form of coping mechanism is said to be very effective as opined by six participants, who see security devices as the best
method to discourage the occurrence of crime in society. On this account, the study sees the need for experienced security personnel like the SAPS to always be on patrol and monitor the security devices wherever they are installed. Empirical evidence in support of this argument is presented in Thola, Samke and Thobi’s statements below:
“I recommend the installation of extra security such as CCTV outside”….Install extra security such as CCTV cameras outside”.
“Community should contribute towards a security company which provides road side guards and armed response to decrease crimes”.
“Security companies to add more experienced people on the team and patrol all over and everyday”.
5.6.4. Staying Indoors Late.
Another coping mechanism against crime as described by a participant is staying indoors when it is late to avoid being at the right place at a wrong time. This could leave them at a huge risk of being victimised. Such coping mechanism may be concluded as a personal one because an individual may use it as something to prevent themselves from being future victims of crime.
Philile stated in support of this context:
“People should stay indoors at the late hours of the day to avoid being victims”.
From the standpoint of the above participant, this coping mechanism may be referred to as a personal safety method, where one can practice at their various homes without involving any persons. This may also warrant a decreased trend in house robbery and assault rates.
5.6.5. Possession of Legal firearms.
The study also argues that being in possession of a legal firearm is indeed a strategic coping mechanism for the individuals, friends and family against crimes. This, however, does not mean the individual must shoot to kill but shoot to injure the perpetrator so that he or she does not have the power to overcome the victim and his family.
This expression is supported by Richard’s response as follows:
“Arm myself with a legal firearm with hopes to protect myself and family”.