Date posted: May 4, 2016
Dear NeighboursUnfortunately we have had a concerning upsurge in break-ins, with at least 5 since our last newsletter, mostly involving the removal of large items, particularly from store-rooms and out-buildings in the area with forceful entry using bolt-cutters and other such equipment.
On the night of 30/31 March an outbuilding in Dunedin Rd was broken into and a number of gardening and horse-riding items were taken.
On 1 April in a similar incident a lock was broken and a range of high-value tools and a bicycle were stolen.
On 8 April a large flat-screen television was removed from a cottage on Avondrust Farm.
On the night of 16/17 April thieves climbed into a property under construction in Protea Street. Padlocks were forced and an extension lead was taken but it looks as though the thieves were disturbed as items were found removed from the building but left on the property. It would seem that a further attempt was made on this site on the weekend of 23/24 April as the padlock on the gate of this property was cut and the gates were wide open when the contractor arrived on site on the Monday, however nothing appeared to have been stolen.
On the night of 16/17 April the large shop front window at the Noordhoek Riding Association Clubhouse was smashed. Thieves removed a fridge, brush cutter and selection of tools, although the fridge was later recovered in wetlands. They also broke into the judges’ box and trashed the interior.
It is evident that these various break-ins involve more than one person and in many cases there may have been multiple visits, possible use of transport or hiding places in the wetlands to dispose of large objects and possible prior surveillance in identifying vulnerable out-buildings. We would thus urge everyone to be on the lookout for anyone who might be conducting surveillance and for groups in the area at odd hours or carrying suspicious items. Please also review your security on out-buildings and regularly check your perimeters for signs of a breech that may be in preparation for a break-in.
On a more positive note, work is progressing nicely on the Community Centre and we are enormously grateful to everyone who has come forward to help or to provide materials we have requested! We are funding the building work in collaboration with our neighbouring NW’s who have all made generous donations. The current focus is on making the place secure and habitable, with our initial priority being the establishment of a Control Room that will coordinate the activities of all the local NW’s and will enable us to utilise a range of sophisticated surveillance equipment that we have been offered. We will keep everyone posted as this progresses as well as on the next exciting phase which will involve the establishment of the Community Hall.
We are currently also working to establish exactly what we do have in place in our area in terms of CCTV cameras etc that we could hopefully eventually link up into a coordinated system, so we would be grateful if anyone who has any external (ie aimed at roadways/perimeter areas etc) CCTV systems in operation to please let us know at: membership@cpnw.org.za with a contact number and a member of our team will get in touch with you.
We have been struck by how successful the Community Connectors groups have been where these have been established. These are relatively easy to set up and coordinate using Apps such as WhatsApp but can also be done through an exchange of emails or simply telephone numbers. Many members of such groups have given wonderful feedback on how safe it makes them feel (especially when alone at home and things go bump in the night!) as well as how it develops a sense of neighbourliness and community spirit - with relatively little effort! We really don’t feel that asking neighbours to exchange numbers, to let one another know if you are going away and to call for help if you are scared is such a big ask, so we really cannot understand why there are still significant parts of the neighbourhood where these have not yet been established. To date we are not aware of the existence of groups in the following areas: Village Lane + the Farm Village houses; Chaplin Close; Protea Rd; Erica Rd; Disa Rd; Pepper Street; Buren Rd; Leerdam Rd; Willoughby Rd and in the beginning of Beach Rd on the Left Hand Side. If you have already started a group in one of these areas, or would like some help in doing so, please contact Lynne at lchogan@netactive.co.za .
Wishing you all a safe month of May!
The CPNW Committee
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