Date posted: May 21, 2018

Dear Neighbours

Crime Update

We have fortunately had another quiet month in terms of housebreakings, with only one such incident at the Farm Village on 3 May when a laptop was stolen after access had been gained via a small window.

We continue to see an increase in opportunistic crime however, with much of it taking place in relation to bin-picking activities.

• Overnight on 19 April two mountain bikes were removed from a property in the Farm Village.


• An E-bike was stolen on the morning of Friday, 20 April from a vehicle in Acacia Street at a time when a number of people were noted to be walking the streets in the area.


• On the evening of 17 April a man was seen attempting to push a vehicle out of a property in Leeerdam Avenue but he managed to escape, after some difficulties in raising the alarm due to problems (fortunately now resolved) with communications with ADT.

Please Inform CPNW about Incidents

We are concerned that there are still a number of incidents taking place that we only hear about for the first time from the police or via a social-media grapevine.

Please do report criminal activity to us as it really does help us to keep everyone prepared and safe! Incidents can be reported to: Incidents@cpnw.org.za or by contacting Robin Mousley at:  robin.mousley@gmail.com or 0827845673.

Bin Pickers

The problem of an increase in criminal activity on Bin-collection days is one that we have discussed in the past which involves considering a number of factors, including uncertainty regarding the exact legal situation pertaining to when refuse is no longer one’s property (there are various arguments which currently all seem to be untested), the rights of people to walk in the streets on the lookout for anything of value to them, and of course, the opportunities this poses for those with nefarious intentions.

Various approaches have been taken in different neighbourhoods, but we do not feel that any of the approaches we are aware of, would be entirely suitable for us to recommend. We have resolved to discuss the matter further with ADT, who we feel should have (or be developing) a nation-wide strategy of their own as this is most certainly a widespread issue. We are also calling on volunteers to do spontaneous patrols between 5am and 8am on Friday mornings, making use of radios and letting everyone know on the Radio User’s WhatsApp group.

In the absence of an obvious crime, we would not encourage any hostile behaviour towards the bin pickers but it would be useful to make them aware that they are being observed and perhaps to engage politely with regard to encouraging respectful behaviours such as not strewing litter around and keeping noise levels in check.

We request residents NOT to put wheelie bins out the night before collection (which is against city council regulations in any case).   

Community Centre

We are glad to report that renovations at the Community Centre are moving ahead and we will soon have a space to use for community meetings, which can also be divided into smaller meeting rooms. This will only leave some of the outside areas for completion and we hope to involve everyone in a final drive to get this finished and to really show off its potential for use by the whole community!We are also hugely grateful to Peter van As of Continental China who kindly made a donation of 72 Coffee cups, plates and side-plates which now take pride of place in our increasingly well-stocked kitchen. Many thanks Peter!

Leavers and Joiners

Finally a reminder to anyone leaving the area (or who has left) to please let us know by replying to this mail. We would also be grateful if everyone makes a habit of both welcoming newcomers to the area and encouraging them to join us and your local Connectors’ group as soon as they arrive. Our safety lies in community!

Wishing you all a safe month – the CPNW Committee.