Celebrating or travelling for Christmas and New Year demand special measures to safeguard lives and property.

In a matter of days, Cameroonians – like people in many parts of the world – will celebrate Christmas and New Year. This is a period characterised by much travelling and feasting. Generally, the few days to Christmas and New Year Day often witness much shopping and public outings. This is also a period when pickpockets, dare-devil robbers and other miscreants take advantage of the hustle and bustle to steal; reason why the police and National Gendarmerie have taken measures to guarantee security.

Stepped-up Patrols, Vehicle, Passenger Searches

For several weeks now, the police in Yaounde have deployed on streets and roads to ease traffic flow. This entails posting a policeman every 200 metres to deter stubborn motorists from creating two ranks. This has greatly eased traffic flow in the capital, reducing gridlocks in no small measure. Police Special Rapid Intervention Units have stepped up patrols in the neighbourhoods to ensure that lives and property are safe.

On the other hand, the National Gendarmerie last week focused its highway patrols on the Yaounde-Pouma, Douala-Nkongsamba and Bafoussam-Bamenda highways as part of its road safety efforts. According to sources, the campaign began in the Littoral, West and North West Regions because they account for most of the accidents in the country. Beginning December 21, 2015, the focus of the road safety campaign will be shifted to highways linking Yaounde to the South and East Regions. Back in the capital, gendarmes also mount checks at road junctions at night, frisking vehicles and passengers. On the whole, both the police and National Gendarmerie have issued security tips to the public.

Public Places

While in public, people should be vigilant and pay extra attention to what is happening around them. There might be miscreants lurking around, just waiting to rob you. If you discover any suspicious-looking parcel, do not approach or touch it. Instead, call the police or Gendarmerie. Ensure that you always take along your identity papers; and as much as possible, avoid moving around aimlessly at night and during the day. Find out and respect any emergency measures the local or national authorities might have taken.  

Bus Stations or Motor Parks

Travellers are advised to ensure that their names are included in manifests before they set off. Similarly, they should avoid taking along much luggage or collecting unknown parcels for other people. Such parcels might contain hard drugs or explosive devices. Motorists and passengers should also be ready for vehicle and luggage searches as well as being frisked at highway checkpoints. If checkpoint security men request that passengers alight in order to search them or the vehicle, please comply.

Avoid dealing with unruly bus station or Motor Park touts. Only seek assistance from people who can clearly be identified as working for bus companies or stations. While in the bus, do not accept ‘gifts’ such as sweets, yoghourt, sandwiches, drinks, etc, from unknown people. Such items are often drugged by pickpockets. It is also foolhardy to discuss your private or professional life with people you meet for the first time. Before boarding a taxi, first throw a glance inside to see if there are any suspicious-looking people.

At Home, In Neighbourhoods

As the first informant in your neighbourhood, you must take interest in what the people do for living and who visits them most. Landlords and landladies must know their tenants - and as much as possible - their backgrounds. Do not be quick to open the gate or door to strange people passing for cable television operators, preachers, hawkers on promotion errands, electricity, water or telephone technicians, etc. They could be robbers seeking to enter your home before striking.

Take particular note of strangers roaming in your neighbourhood or around your home. It is important for neighbours to know each others’ telephone numbers in case …. Parents must know where their children are going or coming from. Being informed about the whereabouts of children can help prevent abductions, sexual abuse, the taking of alcohol, tobacco or hard drugs, and enlistment into terrorist groups.