Date posted: September 11, 2017

Dear Neighbours

In the rather long period since the last newsletter (humble apologies!) we have fortunately seen an abatement of housebreaking spree that this area and our neighbours were experiencing but we have seen a steady stream of incidents that seem to characterise some of the broader crime trends in the country.

Incidents

There was another attempted burglary at the end of June when a rock was thrown through a window in Keurboom Rd, which activated the alarm and the perpetrator was seen fleeing the scene.

On July 12, a suspect was arrested with the assistance of community members and ADT, after reportedly initially refusing to leave a property that he had entered illegally (he was deterred by the owner’s dogs). After a long wait for SAPS the suspect was eventually detained and then found to have an extensive criminal background. We appreciate the support and perseverance of everyone involved in the rather difficult case! Regardless of the final outcome, we feel that what action has taken place has already sent out an important message.

In an incident that again saw the intervention of both community members and ADT, on 17 July two boys were accosted near the Post office Building behind the Farm Village. One was thrown to the ground and had his phone taken, whilst the other managed to get help. The arrival of community members and a Patrol Officer from ADT then led to one suspect being apprehended and the second later being identified through the vehicle he was driving.

In a third incident for the month, on July 27, ladders and paint were stolen from a building site in Rupert way, quick action by a member of the community who spotted the perpetrators and called ADT, led to retrieval of the items although no arrests. On the same day, fences had reportedly been cut on Avondrustvlei Farm.

On August 10 a bakkie was stolen outside of a house in Lindum Close, not long after it had been parked there. Fortunately the vehicle was equipped with a tracking device which resulted in the tracking company and SAPS recovering the car and making arrests.

On August 16 a woman was accosted on Mountain Rd, the perpetrator took her bag but ran off, dropping it, when a vehicle came past. Then, on 19 August, the hire care of a tourist couple was broken into outside of the farm village, with valuable camera equipment stolen, possible after having been followed from elsewhere.

More recently, we have been informed of another break-in at the Riding Association Buildings and of the theft of another pig from Avondrustvlei Farm.

Trends

We thus seem to have seen a shift from the targeted housebreakings we were experiencing in the area, to a pattern of more opportunistic crimes plus some that seem to have involved the following of vehicles into the area.

It is heartening to note that in at least two thirds of those reported, the crimes were unsuccessful, or arrests were made, due to the actions of community members. Whilst it may be difficult to totally prevent some of the more endemic forms of crime in our country, we can at least know that our actions are having a tangible effect on one another’s safety even when incidents do occur. Although the degree to which we can actually develop a reputation of being an area that is high-risk for criminals, we have regularly seen an improvement in crime stats after repeated attempts in the area have been foiled by our actions. 

Uptake of Radios

It is thus great to note that we now have a total of 171 radio users, which makes up well over 50% of our membership, which also now consists of the vast majority of residents in the area. Although it is a hassle to keep one’s radio charged and switched on, and to do a regular radio check, and to report and follow-up on crime and do all the other things we, as CPNW ask everyone to do, it is all these small efforts that in the end make it a pleasure to live in a community where we feel supported by one another.

So please do continue to contribute to community efforts in whatever ways you can! On that note please make sure you have looked at the helpful guide to emergency numbers of our website and put them in your phone:  https://cpnw.org.za/how-to-call-for-help/

Please do ask our ADT Officers to check out anything that raises concern (also taking some time to let them know how we value them), and do let your neighbours know about it!

Voluntary Contributions – Reminder!

Although we run a tight ship (as evidenced by the financial report at the AGM) we would like to increase our camera and Roboguard numbers to layer our security throughout Chapman's Peak in a more efficient and effective manner.  Last year we had a number of donations from residents who said that they’d like to continue to donate on an annual basis, providing they were reminded to do so. 

Here’s the reminder! 

Our bank details are:

Chapman's Peak Neighbourhood Watch
Standard Bank
Fish Hoek 036009
Current a/c 270 364 439

 

Wishing everyone a lovely Spring time...

The CPNW Committee