CPNW Beach Incidents

Date posted: December 8, 2017

Dear Neighbours

As you are, no doubt, well aware there has been worrying resurgence of incidents of muggings on the beach in the last two months, initially at the Chapman’s Peak end, near to bushy areas and on the footpath that leads from Monkey Valley to the Hoek and now more recently further down the beach, mainly close to the wreck of the Kakapo but also between there and the Noordhoek end, especially close to the dunes and wetlands.

Approximate locations of the beach attacks we have been able to verify

 

Different perpetrators

From eyewitness accounts, the perpetrators have not always been the same, with at least three parties involved, some of whom work individually and others in pairs. In all cases the perpetrators have been armed with knives or screwdrivers and attacks have been on individuals or couples, particularly those carrying cameras and other items of value.

One account described a tall, dark skinned male who wandered slowly up and down the beach and then quickly accelerated behind anyone he thought was particularly vulnerable, whilst in other cases the perpetrators appear to have emerged suddenly from hiding places in the dunes, bushes, or the wreck. There has been at least one attempt on horse riders and it is also clear that the presence of dogs has not deterred the attackers.

 

What has been done?

As CPNW, we have obviously been extremely disturbed by these events and, as in the past when this has happened, we will do what we can to assist in preventing any further attacks. As such, we have already taken a number of steps, as follows:

• Assessment of the area: With the use of a helicopter, we were able to undertake a low-level assessment of the area. It is clear that the “wetlands” areas of Masiphumelele adjoin the wetlands below the sewerage farm, with many pathways between this area, the beach and the boundaries of our area. The wetlands and beach constitute a vast area of approximately 15-20km2 and the distance between our end and the wreck is at least 3,5km. Although the bush is relatively thin, there are numerous places to hide.


• Collaboration with other NW’s: We are actively communicating with Neighbourhood Watch representatives from other areas in Noordhoek and in Kommetjie with a number of additional initiatives in development.


• Liaison with SANParks: The beach and wetlands, aside from being a National Heritage site, are part of Table Mountain National Park and thus are under the jurisdiction of SANParks who effectively control all movement and activities in the area. We have met several times already with local and senior management at SANParks to raise our concerns and to explore various strategies, including the following:
  
  
  
  • Increase in ranger patrols and the presence of a ranger who has specialised tracking skills that have proven effective in the past. This has been done although perhaps not to the levels that we would prefer, due to ‘resource constraints”.
  
  
  • Permission to have volunteer patrollers in the area on foot or horseback: This was agreed to although it was stressed that this must be on an “eyes and ears” basis only.
  
  
  • Community funding of additional SANParks ranger or of private security officers: We are still awaiting a response.
  
  
  • The use of drones: This is being considered but if permission is given, they would require the pilot to have a commercial licence and for indemnity insurance to be taken out.
  
  
  • The use of vehicles (primarily quadbikes) on the beach and in the wetlands: They would be happy for one or two named individuals to use some of their service roads in the wetlands but would need to first meet and brief these people. However the use of vehicles on the beach requires specific permission from the Dept of Environmental Affairs and has, to date, not been approved anywhere.
  
  
  
  


• Investigation of Horse Patrols by SAPS: We have been in direct contact with the SAPS Horse Patrol Unit. We were informed that their deployment is generally booked in advance, with about a 3-month waiting list and it usually is done via the local SAPS. We have ensured this request has gone through and were given reason to believe that this may still be possible. We are very grateful to those who have offered stabling as this may aid our case!


• Partnership with the Shark Spotters: We have set this up, supplied them with a cell-phone with key numbers loaded and we have briefed them on what to look out for and what action to take. This does need to be relatively discreet, given the vulnerable and isolated position they are in.


• Volunteers patrolling: We are very grateful to Sonnette Hill, whose Noordhoeked project has already done great work in keeping the beach clean, for her help in recruiting volunteers who will be walking the beach 4 times per day, equipped with radios we have supplied.


• Drones: Aside from discussing this with SANParks, we have consulted with a professional drone-filming company and several individuals with expertise in the field. Although this sounds like an attractive option, the consensus is that a standard drone would not be useful; as its flight-time is very limited, so would not have much time in the air once it had got to the crime scene and the cameras would not have the required power to identify people hiding in the bush. The kind of drone required would be prohibitively expensive and difficult to get hold of.  Additional challenges include the requirement to register the drone with the Civil Aviation Authority and to log flight plans in order to fly legally.  The southeaster is also a factor given that few drones are capable of flying in high winds.


• Signage: We will be placing improved signage with our cell contact number at various entry routes to the beach to complement the existing warning signs.


• CPNW Cell-phone: We have reactivated our contact number (which had become dormant after years of no calls!), it is: 0817372769

Next Steps

We are continuing to meet and discuss strategies with a wide range of stakeholders, including SAPS, SANParks and representatives of both the City and Provincial Departments and we will continue to provide information on what progress has been made. Whilst cooperation has thus far been reasonable, should we feel the situation is not being adequately addressed we may call on everyone to begin an email campaign to ensure that our voices are heard.

We are very grateful to everyone who has donated or offered to donate money for Beach Patrols and to Sonnette Hill who has been collecting funds. We hope to be able to use this to pay for additional professional security.

 

Volunteers

Although we are trying to do as much as we can, we do need to stress to everyone concerned that, as CPNW we are an organisation of VOLUNTEERS, whose mandate is primarily the safety and security of the Chapman’s Peak Area and not the beach.

With the vast majority of our work being carried out by 12 Committee members, we cannot possibly suddenly take responsibility for the entire beach area. So whilst we will do what we can, we must ask all of those demanding action to please step up to the plate themselves and to add offers of action to the demands!

We would also urge everyone to respect everyone’s right to be on the beach, as long as they are behaving in a lawful manner and to themselves behave in a manner that does uphold the law, even when acting to apprehend a suspect.