Date posted: December 20, 2021
Dear Neighbours,
Crime Incidents
Almost immediately after our last communication, we experienced, on 10 December, two further events in the area. Fortunately, in both cases, individuals were apprehended, which gives us some idea of what is going on, if not any security in terms of expecting further incidents.
Karma Strikes
In the first incident, a contractor working at a house in the area noticed a person acting suspiciously and claiming to be a “bin-picker”. After the man requested a lift out of the area, the contractor noticed that he had a number of the contractor’s tools in his bag and handed him over to a patrol officer.
It emerged that this was a person with a long criminal history, who appears to have been taking advantage of bin collection days, to move around in the area looking for opportunities to steal.
It is unlikely that the individual apprehended was operating alone and whist we do recognise that most people who sort through our rubbish on Thursday mornings may not have criminal intent, we must take note that this activity does provide cover for others with nefarious intentions.
We have thus asked the patrol officers to take careful note of anyone coming into the area, claiming to be here to sort through the rubbish, and to investigate where suspicion is aroused. In addition members of CPRT patrolled the area in the early hours of Friday 17/12 and further patrols will be taking place.
Refuse Bins and Bin-pickers
Although there may be some strength to the argument that the wheelie bins are private property, we nevertheless cannot legally prevent people from coming into the area and the morality of such a move is complex, to say the least. There are however, key steps we could all be taking to try and minimise the extent of this problem:
- Please DO NOT put bins out the night before, if at all possible. Not only does this result in the spreading of rubbish on windy nights but it also attracts people into the area throughout the night, which obviously increases risk.
- Please engage with anyone picking through the rubbish, establish that they are genuinely here to sort through garbage, ask them to keep it tidy and to report anyone suspicious to patrol officers.
- Report anyone suspicious to the patrol vehicles and ask them to investigate.
- Be extra careful, on bin collection days, about household security measures.
- Please do not use bin day as an easy opportunity for charity. There are many more constructive ways of donating unwanted goods that do not place the area at increased risk of crime!
We are aware that this is a sensitive topic and that many have reasonable concerns and compassion for those who have little choice but to sort through our rubbish for their survival. e We would therefore like to challenge one or more members of our community to take this up as a cause and to develop a plan of action that addresses both the needs of those coming into the area legitimately and the crime risk this represents!
Burglary – Arrest – Goods Recovered
In the second incident, a house in Village Lane was broken into between 8 and (in the evening) whilst occupants were in adjoining rooms unaware of the intrusion. A bicycle, laptop and other items were stolen but a suspect was later apprehended in Hout Bay with the goods, which were recovered.
The timing, modus and location of the incident does suggest this may be from the same group involved in the house invasions and we have received unverified information to suggest that this may be the work of a gang from Hout Bay that was previously involved in home invasions.
Of particular concern is that this gang would previously target a certain area repeatedly if initially successful. They tend to strike in the mid-to-late evening when residents are gathered together, do not necessarily have alarms on and are gathered in central parts of the house.
Precautions
Please consider the following:
- If possible, arming external passives alarm monitors in the early evening.
- Although it is tempting to keep everything wide open on a warm summer’s evening, it may be wiser to lock up and retreat inside earlier than usual.
- Activation of alarms or panic buttons seems to be a key defence which prompts the invaders to leave within a short space of time. So please be sure everyone in the household knows how to trigger panic alarms and is primed to do so in an emergency. Distribution of remote alarm triggers amongst household members in the evening, may also be key.
- Turn on radios (and do the odd radio check) early in the evening rather than at bed-time.
- Please report any concerns, it is no problem to ask the patrol vehicle to do a round in your area.
- Stay in touch with neighbours.
- Be on the lookout for a vehicle loaded with passengers coming in from Hout Bay, or parked anywhere on Main Rd or Chapmans Peak in the early evening and report anything suspicious!
Please let neighbours know when you are going to be away and please also alert any visitors to the area about the existing crime concerns (including the beach!).
We have activated our radio networks and response teams and have been talking to SAPS and the Security Companies, so we are hopeful that we will be able to keep further crime at bay!
Wishing everyone a safe Festive Season!
The CPNW Committee
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