Creative ways to fight crime

The Raanana List - an online forum comprising of over 5 000 English speakers who exchange ideas, ask advice and buy and sell goods to list members - has certainly played a vital role in helping me settle in a new country.

I've used this list to launch my cookery school, to buy a car, furniture, concert tickets and more. Subscribers to this free forum are only too happy to share information and opinions and I've also received valuable feedback on recommended doctors and hairdressers, gift ideas for batmitvahs, weekend travel tips, advice on where to locate recipe ingredients and more.

I have to admit that the list has also provided me with many a laugh as I shake my head in wonder at the requests and opinions posted hereand I intend publishing some of these gems on this blog shortly.

Someone recently asked Raanana List members for ideas on how to combat crime - not even Israel is safe from petty crime as youngsters climb through open windows and over balconies to steal cellphones, laptops and wallets - and I thought you may enjoy the suggested ideas.

Think these will work in South Africa....?

SAID JOAN

"I keep my TV on and a pair of VERY large men's shoes outside my front door. If a would-be thief comes to my place, this makes him think twice: Why take a chance on finding someone home when it's safer for him to go next door where there's no noise and no shoes?"

SUGGESTED ELANA

"How about keeping a very large dog's feeding bowl outside the front door? Or better yet, a very large leash which shows that the dog inside is loose."

MERRILL GOT SMART AND RESPONDED

"Even better still, why don't you keep a very large dog?!?!

Or an attack cat is also a good option...."

FINALLY NAOMI CONCLUDED

"One of my neighbours told me what she does, and even though I disagree with her, here goes:

The burglars are opportunists. All they really want is money and car keys.They are not interested in harming you. So she leaves keys and 100 shekels on the kitchen table every night."

Think Selebi would have kept his job if he tried these tactics???