How to deal with “blue light” gangs

Blue light gangs are a threat to the security of our country. Find out how to deal with them so you don’t fall victim to one.
Criminals know it’s an offence for motorists not to obey a police officer’s instruction to stop, so they use this knowledge to pose as policemen, using fake vehicle branding and blue lights to target their victims.
Police are presently investigating at least 250 cases where criminals have used this modus operandi. But the Road Traffic Management Corporation and Justice Project South Africa have now issued a standard protocol for motorists to follow if they feel uncomfortable about stopping for a vehicle with flashing blue lights, especially at night.
Blue Security managing director Henk van Bemmelen said the company supported the protocol. “We live in a society where criminals are becoming increasingly inventive in their modus operandi so we welcome the standard protocol, which empowers motorists with knowledge that could help them in a potentially dangerous situation,” Van Bemmelen said.

Steps to Take

According to the protocol, if you are followed by a vehicle, marked or not, with blue flashing lights and it indicates for you to pull over don’t do so if you feel uneasy or unsure that they are genuine police. Rather, take the following steps to get the car to follow you to a safe place:

• Slow right down to 40 km per hour and turn your hazard lights on.

• Extend your right arm out of the window, and with a tightly outspread hand extended into the air with your forearm at 90  degrees from your shoulder, gesture for them to follow you.

• Drive directly to the nearest police or petrol station that has CCTV cameras.

• Call 10111 and report that you are being followed and are driving to the nearest police station or public place.

• If possible, provide the operator with the registration number of the vehicle following you.

• Don’t  drive home or to a friend’s place as this could endanger you and your loved ones if those following you are not police.

• If you go to a police station and there are no police officers in sight outside, hoot for as long as it takes for someone to come out.

• Remain in your vehicle with the engine running, in gear and your windows wound up, until police from the station come out to you.

• Co-operate with the police officers from that police station and the officers from the vehicle that followed you. Explain that you felt intimidated which was why you drove to the police station.

• If you go to a service station, drive onto the forecourt (centre of the service station) near the pumps or the convenience shop in full view of the cameras. Co-operate with the officers from the vehicle that followed you and immediately explain that you felt intimidated.

• If the officers shout at you, don’t shout back. Don’t respond to any potentially violent acts by resisting or becoming violent. Stay calm and respectful and explain that you did not stop immediately because you were not sure they were genuine police.

Remember, there is a big difference between evading or fleeing from the police and having them follow you to a safe public place.
Source: Protocol for Comatting Blue Light Gangs JPSA and RTMC