CPNW NEWSLETTER – JULY 2020
Date posted: July 16, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
Crime Update
We’re pleased to report another quiet month down here in the valley.
However, just up the hill in San Michel, they’ve had a number of incidents, apparently all involving the same two glazing experts whose modus operandi is to access homes via windows by quietly removing the beading and glass.
The perpetrators have appeared several times on security cameras, and a vehicle that appears to be theirs has been identified. Hopefully the net is closing in on them.
In the meantime, please be alert to goings-on in your environment such as strange behavior of strangers, vehicles, sounds and agitated dogs!
Radios
As always, please give thought to your radios and feel free to test them at any time before 8pm.
Stay safe and warm…
The CPNW Team
CPNW NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2020
Date posted: June 19, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
Crime Update
We hope you are well and coping with life during this difficult period. We are pleased to report though, that since our last communique in March, we have had a relatively crime free period.
On the 16th of May we had an attempted burglary in Monkey Valley. A suspect broke into one of the cottages there and was disturbed leaving the property with a TV. He dropped the TV but then accosted a jogger armed with a screwdriver and took her jewellery. The neighbourhood was alerted by radio and a search ensued, unfortunately without any joy. It seems that this was probably an opportunistic incident and the suspect seemed to have gained access to Monkey Valley via Chapman’s Peak drive.
Thanks to all who turned out, it was a good response.
There have also been a number of incidents on Avonrust Vlei farm where vegetables have been stolen from the fields at night.
Stay Vigilant!
Considering the current situation and the economic hardship that the Corona Virus has brought with it, Chapmans Peak has had an exceptionally quiet period over the last couple of months, but it is important that we do not lose site of the fact that this can change quite rapidly.
Other areas are not having such an easy time of it, with Fish Hoek and Glencairn especially having a high number of burglaries in the last couple of weeks.
Security Companies
We are also in the fortunate position of having two security companies operating in our suburb currently. This means that we have two dedicated vehicles in the day and four at night.
The introduction of Deep Blue Security into Chapman’s Peak has also resulted in a general reduction of monthly fees. We believe that the neighbourhood as a whole is probably saving in the region of 60 to 70 thousand Rand per month!
Cameras
The promised roll out of monitored cameras by Deep Blue has also commenced, with the installation of six cameras on Avonrust Vlei Farm. These cameras will hopefully put an end to stock and vegetable theft from the farm as well provide security for the stables that are housed on the farm. Naturally, it will also provide additional security for Mr and Mrs Docke. These cameras will be monitored in the Deep Blue control room in Hout Bay and linked to the armed response cars dedicated to our neighbourhood.
In terms of our SLA, Deep Blue have also started to take over the maintenance of our existing camera network and have replaced a pole on Avonrust circle which blew over in a storm. These LPR cameras will also be monitored from their DBS control room.
Deep Blue will next install NHW cameras in pertinent locations, most likely on our southern borders to start with. These cameras will provide us (for the first time) a pro-active approach to prevent would be burglars from entering and walking around our neighbourhood on foot.
Deep Blue Security
Bearing the above in mind, we appeal to our neighbours to help us make this situation sustainable. The only way this can be done is for sufficient people to sign up with Deep Blue for their armed response. We need to increase the DBS subscriber base to make our partnership sustainable.
For information on how to sign up with Deep Blue, click here.
To see the SLA we have signed with Deep Blue, click here.
If you wish to learn more about DBS, check out their website at https://deepbluesecurity.co.za/.
Email them at sales@deepbluesecurity.co.za.
More contacts
Lisa Mellon – 061 143 5983 or lisa@deepbluesecurity.co.za
Mia van den Berg – 079 638 1561 or mia@deepbluesecurity.co.za.
Martin Botha – 082 387 4075 or martin@deepbluesecurity.co.za
Update: Community Centre
The new floor at the Noordhoek Community Centre has been laid and was given its final seal a couple of weeks ago. What a difference it has made to the place.
It looks amazing and is ready for business as soon as lock down is over. As well as this 100 sq m room, the facility has two toilets and a small kitchen, which includes a 30 litre urn and various crockery.
Bookings
Bookings can be made by going to our web site, cpnw.org.za and clicking on “Book a Room at the NCC” and following the steps.
Enquiries can be made by emailing us at bookings@cpnw.org.za. We would sincerely like to thank those who donated funds towards this flooring project. We now have a Community Centre to be proud of.
Stay safe and well.
The CPNW Team
Coping with Stressful Times – Some Resources
Date posted: March 28, 2020
Dear Neighbours
We’re ALL anxious!
Covid-19 threatens to change entirely how we understand our world – so of course we feel anxious, as well as other uncomfortable and frightening emotions.
AND now we’re expected to stay in our homes, away from others – which only makes these feelings worse.
So, it’s useful to have some kind of approach to the situation that can make it easier to manage these emotions.
Here’s a set of resources that might help you to cope more easily with the rest of the lock-down period (one day down, only twenty to go!)
Mental Hygiene
At the very basic level of mental hygiene it is important at times like this to:
- Strive to maintain an atmosphere of calmness and routine
- Be conscious of maintaining structures and boundaries as pillars of home life. Regular meals, roles in the house, tasks and chores, as well as rules for the protection of private space, all deserve a thought.
- Try to establish these as a collective project that everyone can buy into. Remember that consensus is as important as the actual rules.
- Maintain an atmosphere of honesty and curiosity, but do place limits on media exposure
- Cultivate compassion and gratitude
- Maintain a sense of optimism by reminding one another of what we do have: comfortable and secure homes, in a beautiful part of the world!
Resources
There are many good resources on the web that offer guides to talking to children about the coronavirus, such as:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-talk-to-children-about-the-coronavirus-2020030719111
Self-care
In terms of self-care for more difficult emotional states, we have identified a few articles and e-publications that may be helpful. They approach the subject from a range of perspectives which may appeal differently to different people and we hope that at least one or two will prove useful!
An important lesson in mental health involves understanding that we are all fundamentally different and so will have different ways of responding to a crisis like this. Equally important is to understand that we are complex living beings and not machines. We do not recover by fixing a faulty part; it happens as we grow and heal, which involves everything about our lives, so all the little things we can change really do matter!
Common reactions in a situation like this involve spending a great deal of time worrying (or a worsening of this habit), periods of severe anxiety, a sense of grief that can encompass a range of different emotions and the full range of trauma reactions associated with activation of fight-flight-and-freeze responses.
Face Covid
FACE COVID is a simple and stepwise process, presented in the form of practical steps that can be taken at any moment in response to a surge of anxiety. These involve an approach of acknowledging and accepting, using the awareness of bodily sensations as anchor points in the present moment, to disengage from the cycle of racing thoughts that fuel panic, and to develop an observer perspective to what is taking place in one’s own mind and body.
This is then carried forward into a process of value refinement and commitment to action that serves to help us to feel engaged in what is happening in a way that takes us out of the cycle of helplessness and worry.
Click here to download the Face Covid eBook
Frequent Worrying
In those for whom frequent worrying is already a habit or has started to take hold, there are a range of techniques that may be helpful in developing a working understanding about how what the functional purpose of anxiety and worry are in the body, and how they work.
The Psychology Tools Guide to Living with anxiety amidst global uncertainty provides simple ways of understanding these feelings and practical guides based on gaining insight into the links between why we think, behave and feel and how we can step away from habitual patterns that lead to a worsening of worry.
Another response that is commonly experienced in such times is a sense of grief and loss of the world as we have known it. This can of course manifest in a number of responses including denial, anger and sadness on what ideally becomes a journey towards acceptance and meaning.
In a very easy to understand interview in the Harvard Business Review, this is set out by the highly respected David Kessler, a global leader in this field.
https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief
Finally, an article by Alex Evans, using a collective psychology perspective, discusses the fight-flight-freeze responses to trauma as a neuropsychological modality of thinking, feeling and behaviour that occurs in response to major stress. Whilst this can be adaptive in emergency situations, it tends to undermine resilience in the longer term.
Evans points to an opposite, complementary state of being that has been referred to as “approach” or “tend-and-befriend” mode. Evans argues strongly that not only is “tend-and-befriend” associated with an improved sense of wellbeing but it simultaneously fosters an outlook on life that is more able to tolerate uncertainty and act collectively. Evans refers to an ABC of “tend-and-befriend”, as key behaviours for our collective mental health:
- Agency or a sense that we can do something about our situation
- Belonging or a sense that we are connected to something bigger
- Conscious self-awareness or the ability to have the presence of mind to actively choose how we want to respond to events rather than simply reacting to them.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/transformation/collective-psychology-coronavirus/
Evans’ A and B here are available right on the website this was sent from, and through numerous other connections, as well as right outside your door. We are here for each other and together we will get through this!
The development of Evan’s C- conscious self-awareness, is of course a more protracted and difficult process. It develops best through a gentle discipline involving deep acceptance and a settling of the mind.
Finding Solace
When I am gripped by the sense of cold fear that situations like the current one can provoke, I find solace in all that is present, here, in this very moment.
Indeed, in this beautiful place, in this wonderful community, full of very special people, there is so much that is very, very good. That is also how it is right now – and whatever happens, we know that this too, shall pass!
Sincerely yours
Dr John Parker
Living with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty
Date posted: March 26, 2020
guide_to_living_with_worry_and_anxiety_amidst_global_uncertainty_en-gb.pdf (002)
Lockdown – Preparation
Date posted: March 26, 2020
Dear Neighbours
Now that the full extent of the lockdown has become apparent, it is critical that we all do what we can to make sure that we are aware of, and have some form of communication with every household in our neighbourhood.
Connector Groups
(The Connector Groups are whatsapp groups, usually for residents of a street in the area. If you don’t have one in your street, make one and give the details to our Connector Group Organiser, Lynne Hogan who can be messaged on 072 905 4676.)
To date we have been we have been working through the connector groups to establish this but we also need everyone else’s help to locate those either not registered on our website or involved via a connector group.
Although we will continue this work into the lockdown, it will obviously become much more difficult to make contact with people we do not already know once we are in lockdown. Therefore we would urge everyone to take a little time on this final day before lockdown to:
- consider those living in your street or block
- identify anyone who might be vulnerable or who at some stage may be in need to help
- exchange contact details and set up some kind of system for checking in with one another
- encourage everyone to register or to check their details on the CPNW website cpnw.org.za as this will enable them to receive emails from us and to access other info already on the website
- identify potential resources in our community, in terms of supporting one another
Where there are nominated Community Connectors in place, we have requested that they start to develop lists that we will then collect into a number of databases, as follows:
- Contact information for every possible house
- Vulnerable individuals: over 70 or suffering from a chronic physical illness or any form of physical or psycho-social disability
- Individuals living on their own or who are the only adult in a household and may be in need of additional adult support
- Individuals who have professional training in a health-care related discipline who would be available to help should this be required.
- Individuals with security-related knowledge/experience who would be prepared to help, should this be required
(If you are not on a collector group and have info/want to help, please let us know by replying to this mail!)
Feeding Our Valley Fundraiser
We would also urge everyone to be aware of less-fortunate communities in the valley, where many will be struggling to make ends meet during this time. In this respect we would encourage people to support the Feeding Our Valley Fundraiser which we can verify as a legitimate and well-managed operation.
Please consider signing up – even an amount of R50 per week (less than two cups of coffee!) will make a huge difference if enough of us contribute.
See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_m_-ysDego&t=4s
Donations can be made directly to:
FOWLER CONSULTING SERVICES
BANK: FNB ACCOUNT NUMBER: 62725803705
BRANCH CODE: 250655
Donations go directly to support existing feeding schemes in Masiphumelele, Ocean View and Red Hill.
Other ways to help
There is also a useful directory to match volunteers to organisations at: www.onelovesa,com We would also like to encourage support for Fishoek Hospital (contact the CEO’s office on 021 782 1999) who have a wide range of needs including bleach, sanitiser, spray bottles, toilet paper, bottled water and food parcels as well as with transport for staff.
We would also encourage donations to the Solidarity Fund and we will also be publishing details of other ways to help, where we can verify appeals as legitimate. |Please let us know of any special needs you would like to be publicised!
Where finances permit we would also encourage everyone to keep paying employees even though you might not be receiving the service and to support local business that employee people.
Wishing everyone a safe stay at home!
The CPNW Committee
CPNW NEWSLETTER – MARCH 2020
Date posted: March 25, 2020
Dear Neighbours
The warmest of greetings to each one of you in these anxious and challenging times!
Crime Potential
From a strictly security-related standpoint, it is probably wise to acknowledge that the economic impact of this pandemic can only be expected to stimulate further crime, whilst worst-case scenarios involving civil disruption of some form or another also come into consideration – thus there is plenty to be worried about. Conversely, our capacity to act collectively not only has a direct impact on those around us but it also serves also to reduce anxiety, as we feel more empowered, whilst our actions promote the same kind of calm and supportive behaviour from everyone!
Perhaps the most important things we should emphasise at a time like this, are:
- To remain calm
- To carefully consider the information we receive, by considering its validity and what we pass on, as well as in terms of how seriously we take it.
And most importantly:
- To understand that in such a time of crisis, unified action must be prioritised above many of the individual choices we usually take from granted. We need to be ready to take direction from those who are entrusted with this authority – with the key priority at this moment being the minimisation of human contact.
Networks
We are fortunate to already have developed networks, not only for urgent security-related issues such as the radio-network but also the Connector Groups that are ideal for planning how we can collectively reduce time spent in public, yet take care of one another, and particularly the more vulnerable among us. We urge everyone to do your bit to enhance such networks and to ensure that everyone is included, so that we can be prepared for the more stringent lockdown we will soon be facing.
As a community, we have also done well to develop groups such as the:
- NRA (https://www.facebook.com/pages/NRA-Noordhoek-Riding-Association/307237692685024)
- The Noordhoek Ratepayers Association (https://www.com/groups/nrpa/
- NEAG https://www.thenoordhoekhub.com/groups/nrpa/
- the Volunteer Fire Unit,
- On the Verge,
- Noordhoeked,
- the Riding Club
and many others that look after our local interests. Working with such groups provides us with an abundance of opportunities in our neighbourhood that not only improve our resilience in the face of such crises but also protect against the sense of isolation and powerlessness that such times may bring. We would encourage everyone who suddenly finds themselves spending more time at home, to find out what is happening locally, to build up your connections with those who share your interests and work collectively to look after the things that we love. Seldom before has the dictum: “Think globally, act locally!” rung so true!
As a first practical step, through your whatsapp connector group, you can find out who in your street needs assistance. (For example, it’s advisable particularly for older or immune-compromised folks to avoid shopping. Find out who they are and whether they’d like their groceries to be collected.)
Crime Update
Ironically, from the standpoint of preventing criminal activity, things have probably never been so good! A single report of two bicycles that were stolen from a driveway in Poplar Rd on the 24th of February, since our last newsletter, brings the total number of robberies we have recorded this year to 3 with no actual housebreakings.
We currently have both Deep Blue and FADT providing dedicated vehicles in the area, the cheapest rates for armed response that we have had in many years, and work on the establishment of a growing system of cameras with AI enhanced monitoring, is at an advanced stage. Of course the current situation is unlikely to be sustainable for both companies, in the longer-term, unless a substantially larger proportion of residents in our area sign up for armed response (AR), and with it, the collective service that is provided to our whole community. We have investigated whether the activities of security providers will be affected by the lockdown and we have it on good authority that they will be permitted to operate.
Deep Blue Security – Intro Meeting
We are grateful to everyone who came to find out about Deep Blue Security at the meeting we held to introduce them, on 19 February. In addition to getting a better understanding about Deep Blue’s offering, it was good to hear the various thoughts and concerns of those who attended. It also allowed us to explain our position, as well as to understand better the challenges we face, in working out how we use individual contracting with a security provider, to ensure a collective benefit.
It is in this respect that we believe that we have achieved something worth pursuing in our relationship with Deep Blue, and hence we continue to encourage residents to consider their proposal as one that is able to enhance security for us all. (We would also love it if everyone would have a word have a word with those neighbours who don’t have AR!) Although Deep Blue have, thus far, not had much of a marketing presence in our community, they have indicated that they are first intent on establishing and fine-tuning their services in the area as well as what they can offer at the customer interface and will soon be marketing more intensively.
If you wish to learn more about DBS, check out their website at https://deepbluesecurity.co.za/.
Email them at sales@deepbluesecurity.co.za. More contacts are:
- Lisa Mellon – 061 143 5983 or lisa@deepbluesecurco.za
- Mia van den Berg – 079 638 1561 or mia@deepbluesecurity.co.za.
- Martin Botha – 082 387 4075 or martin@deepbluesecurity.co.za
For those who are interested, details of Deep Blue’s Service Provider Contract and the SLA they have signed off on with us are on our website, as is our motivation for recommending them and details of the processes we went through to take this step.
Community Centre
On a very positive community note, we have been delighted to see how regularly the Community Centre is being used! In less than three years, we have seen its transformation from a derelict crime-hazard to a highly functional space for a variety of community uses. This is not only providing services in terms of security presence and fire preparedness but is also becoming a valued space for meetings and social gatherings.
The increased income from usage has been a great help in looking after the Centre but we have some larger-budget items, such as flooring, roofing repairs and window-work that require some additional funds. We will be having the floor redone in the coming week which we think will make a huge difference but with a little help from everyone (perhaps one month’s saving on the security company bill) we can make that Centre into a yet another really lovely feature of this community! (To be enjoyed in the future – with a current limit on gatherings.)
Please make any donations to the CPNW Bank Account as follows:
Chapman’s Peak Neighbourhood Watch
Standard Bank
Fish Hoek
Account Number 27-036-443-9
Please send confirmations to: Geoff Young: gvwyoung@gmail.com
We wish everyone a safe and healthy month!
Deep Blue Transfer Documents
Date posted: February 13, 2020
CPNW NEWSLETTER – FEBRUARY 2020
Date posted: February 13, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
Crime Update
We are delighted to have recorded another very quiet month in the neighbourhood, with no incidents of crime recorded. Unfortunately however, we did become aware of an armed robbery in the vicinity of the Kakapo wreck on 7 February and we again warn everyone against walking on the beach with valuables and encourage everyone to inform visitors of this danger.
Wetland Fires – Check your Hydrants!
We were saddened to hear of the loss of some stables and outbuildings in the first of the series of wetlands fires that have taken place but are pleased to report that the horses had been evacuated and that no-one was hurt and no houses were damaged. Thank you to everyone who assisted with moving animals and with support for the firefighters.
The fires have been a timely reminder of our vulnerability in this respect and we would urge everyone to read our communications regarding checking fire hydrants and to regularly check your properties for other hazards such as piles of dried garden waste and other flammable material close to structures.
New Security Provider – Deep Blue Security
We are very excited to be able to recommend Deep Blue Security (DBS), to you, as a dedicated security provider in our area. We would encourage you to look carefully at the services they offer and to strongly consider contracting with Deep Blue Security for security services in your home as well as in our area, as per the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between CPNW and DBS that is referred to in the customer agreement. (We would also, of course be very grateful if you would also agree to add a R30 monthly voluntary CPNW donation to your payments, which will be transferred to CPNW – for an account of how this money is used, please go to: CPNW Funding (pdf – size: 66KB))
If you would like more information about the thinking and processes leading to CPNW’s decision to recommend DBS, please have a look at: CPNW – Deep Blue Endorsement Process (pdf – size: 127KB), on our website.
Since our origins as the Keep Noordhoek Safe association we have pursued three particular strategies that we feel have been critical to our relative success in controlling crime in our area, these are:
- A Whole of Community Approach: We believe that our biggest strength arises from our capacity to work in unison to prevent crime. This includes actions such as: us each taking responsibility for ensuring that our homes are not easy targets, developing relationships with neighbours so that we can all feel that there is always help nearby, establishing communication networks so that we can quickly communicate any potential crime hazards and respond collectively, and using our collective power to address particular issues.
- A collective approach to Security Services: We have shown that collective bargaining with a Security Provider provides huge benefits in terms of services that are dedicated to our area alone. This has evolved from the initial success of securing a response vehicle that remained in the area, to additional dedicated patrolling services and now, we hope, to a bespoke service that not only provides dedicated response and patrolling but also camera monitoring of vulnerable points, as well as strategic responses to particular crime problems that may arise.
- Constantly improving our capacity to prevent crime: We understand that as people everywhere increase security measures, criminals quickly learn to overcome these and soon take advantage of vulnerable areas. As a result we have tried to constantly improve on what we are doing and, whether it has been with the introduction of Licence Plate Recognition camera’s, the dedicated night patrol vehicle, or the Response Teams, every time we have implemented a new strategy this has been followed by a clear decrease in crime prevalence in the area. A key next strategy that we have been working on, is the use of advanced camera and analytic technology to better monitor vulnerable parts of our area for the presence of criminals.
It is on this basis that we believe that a partnership with Deep Blue Security will form an integral part of our plans for an even safer area in the future. We believe that Deep Blue is uniquely suited to playing such a role for the following reasons:
- They are a relatively small, local company that has established itself by developing a locally specific, hands-on approach to security in a focussed area.
- They are in a critical phase of their growth plan which is reliant on proving success in our area.
- Their key strategy involves providing security to an entire neighbourhood via a collective approach includes the standard alarm monitoring and response services to households but also focuses on broader crime prevention strategies for the whole neighbourhood.
- This commitment is encapsulated in the SLA, signed with CPNW which constitutes part of the individual agreements signed with every DBS customer in the area.
- The SLA not only guarantees the presence of dedicated vehicles with performance monitoring in conjunction with CPNW, but also assures transparency in pricing and in negotiations over future increases.
- DBS offers competitive pricing that has already had a significant disruptive effect on established security pricing in the area.
- Through the use of analytic technology and the development of “virtual patrolling” systems DBS have radically increased their capacity for surveillance in areas where they provide services.
We will be sending out copies of the signed SLA and contract information, with this newsletter, for your convenience, although Deep Blue will also be holding an information session at the Community Centre (NCC) on 19 February at 18h00, their sales people will be visiting houses in the area over the next few weeks and their area manager will be available at the NCC every evening from 1600-1800 next week to assist anyone needing help and to answer any queries.
You will also notice their members conducting surveillance of the area and in the near future setting up camera systems.
ADT
Please be assured that we will continue to represent the interests of those who choose to remain with ADT, with whom we continue to liaise. We are pleased to note that all security providers in the area are clear that full cooperation with one another, when it comes to security concerns is a non-negotiable and this is something that we will ensure is upheld.
Wishing everyone a safe month!
The CPNW Committee
How to Make a Service Request with the City Council
Date posted: February 13, 2020
How do you request service from the city e.g. water leak, dead animal disposal, etc.
How to Report a Crime to the Police
Date posted: February 13, 2020
The Fish Hoek Community Policing Forum has issued a form to be used when reporting crimes.
You can fill the form in online using PDF Reader, or else print it, fill it in with a pen and then scan it.
Email the completed form to crime@fishhoekcpf.co.za
Don’t forget to inform us here at the CPNW too!