Date posted: December 18, 2025
Dear Neighbours(Welcome to this month’s newsletter… Be warned, this is a long one, but we think it’s worth the read!)
Incidents
It has been a fairly quiet few months, crime-wise, but now is a good time to think carefully about security!
To date December and January have consistently been the two months with the highest crime stats, with at least four times as many incidents as other months in the year.
Since the last newsletter, we have only had one report of a further incident: the theft from an outbuilding on Pine St on the morning of 7 November, in which a weed eater, a woodwork clamp and a bicycle were taken.
AGM
Thank you to everyone who came to our AGM! For everyone who puts effort into CPNW, it is always good to feel the support of our members in person, and the good turnout was really appreciated. It was also great to see some new faces, and even better to hear of others who are interested in volunteering!
One of the things we in CPNW are really proud of is that anyone can participate, because our approach is so multidimensional. We are not (only) looking for “Rambo’s” but for people who can type, organise, work on data, do technical stuff, etc. With each person who gets involved, the tasks become smaller and we continue to make a tangible difference to life in our neighbourhood! Interested members are always welcome to attend our monthly Committee Meetings, but we particularly invite you to join us at our first meeting of the new year, which will be held on Monday 12 January 2026 at 18h00.
We will be placing our AGM slides and minutes on the website, but as CPNW Chair and author of this newsletter, I’d like to make a few comments on various aspects of the report:
It felt respectful to open our meeting by observing the recent passing of two young people, an adolescent boy who was washed out to sea on the preceding weekend, and a young woman who was tragically murdered during a housebreaking in Fish Hoek two weeks before the meeting. Tragedies like these are always a shock, and they serve as solemn reminders that we should never stop thinking about ways to better look after each other’s safety.
This was our 19th AGM since our foundation in 2007, and we began by acknowledging the contributions of everyone who has volunteered for CPNW, particularly our current committee members, including Brenda Scott, secretary and scribe, who has not only been scrupulous in record keeping, but also brought rigour to how we function.
Membership
As most people will know, our primary philosophy is that our security is founded in community. As such, we prioritise ensuring the broadest network possible in our area over any individual contribution or action by residents. So, membership requires simply joining up on our website if you live in the area. We hope you will use the website to share your needs, stay informed about neighbourhood crime prevention, and hopefully be convinced that supporting us through funding and participation is worthwhile.
Our most recent data suggests that our members now constitute over 80% of residents in the area. This is a figure we would like to maintain and increase, but maintaining an accurate database is surprisingly challenging, with significant flux throughout the area, particularly with rental properties. Unfortunately, people are not good at letting us know when they leave. If you are leaving the area or know of anyone who has recently left, please let us know! We could also improve efforts to bring new arrivals on board, and this is a crucial role we should all play as neighbours, particularly through the Connector Groups.
Crime Report
We had a total of 22 incidents since the last AGM, down slightly from last year (24 incidents), but higher than in 2023 (15) and in the Covid years 2020 (8) and 2021 (15). These figures are still a significant improvement on our early years, with over 7 incidents per month prior to 2007, and over 40 per year not unusual before Covid. Is this a hiatus? We are not sure, but the changing pattern of crime does suggest we are still having some impact.
Of most concern were two contact crimes: an attempted armed robbery in a home during daylight hours in February, and an incident on the Common when a mother and young child were accosted and threatened in an apparent attempt to rob them. Fortunately, rapid responses by community members and Armed Response Officers resulted in positive outcomes in both cases.
There were also 6 burglaries (theft involving breaking and entering) and 4 common thefts (removal of unsecured objects e.g. a bicycle in a garden).
Also high on the list this year were thefts from motor vehicles at the beach parking area, the Common and around the Red Herring Centre.
Importantly, 6 of these cases took place in December, which was by far the busiest month for crime.
Other important trends we noted were:
- We are now seeing twice as many incidents taking place during daylight hours, compared to at night.
- It appears that road access has become less viable for criminal acts, particularly at night, where any movement on many of our main roads attracts the immediate attention of patrol vehicles.
- Almost all burglaries and all common theft took place out of buildings or properties that were unprotected by alarm systems and unoccupied at the time of the robbery.
- There seems to be an increased use of off-road areas, such as public open space, greenbelts and boundaries, to enter and move through the neighbourhood and provide concealment.
- Most burglaries suggest that properties were observed prior to entry, with incursions timed to avoid the presence of residents.
- Criminals regularly use other traffic in the area, such as building activity, holidaymakers, and the Friday bin pickers, to provide both cover and opportunity.
- Incidents occur 2-3 times more often on a Friday than on any other day.
- Opportunistic crimes are also quite common, with a surprising number happening when gates, garages, cars and even homes are left open or unlocked. The armed robbery was a particularly sobering reminder to keep doors locked no matter how peaceful things seem.
Aside from the more obvious lessons this data teaches us about the need for vigilance, it also points to what I think will be our next challenge: how to monitor and protect areas that are either public property or unoccupied private property that is not easily observed from the roads.
Areas such as the Common, the Nature Sanctuary and various greenbelts and pathways, as well as the boundary areas between our area and the wetlands, mountain and beach, are all essential elements of this special neighbourhood, but also highly vulnerable to criminal activity.
They represent a substantial portion of our neighbourhood, but are difficult to patrol or monitor, even with cameras. They thus create spaces that criminals can use for surveillance and access. They are also prone to occupation by vagrants, with impacts on the ecosystem that bring further traffic. It is then critical that we continue to actively develop our stewardship of these areas, ideally whilst also enjoying the very rich recreational value they offer!
We are very grateful for the work done by so many volunteer groups under the collective leadership of the NRPA, to look after these collective spaces, particularly the larger ones, but also our roadsides and smaller pathways. As the famous broken window theory argues, keeping our areas clean, regularly used and free of rubbish sends the message that this neighbourhood is cared for, and there are eyes all over! It is a little more complicated with areas along our boundaries, and this is where we need neighbours to start communicating with one another about specific boundaries, using either existing Connector Groups or specific groups dedicated to monitoring an area along our border.
As a committee, we will assist with support and resources, but natural environments are far more complex and varied than the average road intersection, so decisions about how best to monitor them are more dependent on local knowledge. Acquiring that knowledge ourselves, by actively inhabiting these spaces, becomes crucial.
Cameras
We are extremely proud of the camera systems we have developed. We owe much gratitude for the hard work involved, particularly from Patrick Wright, who has driven this project, closely supported by Craig Botha and more recently Chris Gippert.
As mentioned, we feel these cameras have significantly reduced night-time incursions. But this impact is also reflected by the reduction in vehicle-borne crime in the area, which also tends to be of a more serious nature. We have two camera systems in place in the neighbourhood: the Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) system and CCTV cameras.
Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) Cameras
The LPR system covers all entrances to Chapman’s Peak and uses iTrack and Navic software to identify suspicious vehicles via a local and central database. Messages are sent out to security companies and responders whenever a suspicious vehicle enters the area.
CCTV Cameras
We currently have 63 CCTV cameras on our network, including a powerful pan, tilt and zoom camera which constantly scans the beach area. This is now monitored by the Deep Blue Security Operations Centre in Hout Bay. In addition, we have introduced a “Virtual Patrol System” that operates after dark to detect and record movement, sending alerts directly to the armed response vehicles.
We have also installed new cameras overlooking parking areas in response to the vehicle break-ins.
A significant portion of our revenue is devoted to the development and maintenance of the camera networks. We are fortunately able to outsource all camera setup and maintenance work, but we urgently need volunteers to assist with monitoring the system and coordinating this work!
Connector Groups
A connector group is a small, less formal, WhatsApp group of close neighbours, each co-ordinated by a “Connector Administrator”, who in turn has direct contact with Committee Representatives Lynne Hogan and Matt Coquillon.
The basic idea of these groups is to promote security through neighbourliness by encouraging communication and feedback, mutual support and collaboration. We have 34 WhatsApp connector groups at present, with some quite large ones, which tend to become cumbersome.
We also welcome the establishment of smaller, local interest-based groups. We feel that these groups serve as the “lifeblood” of our community, bringing us together across our fences. Please contact Lynne Hogan if you wish to join a group or start one!
The CPNW Radio Users Network
Although activity on this network has declined with the reduction in incidents, particularly at night, it remains an effective tool in the event of emergencies, particularly during the fire season. Our records show there are currently 181 hand-held radios in the CPNW area, but it is unclear how many of these are still in operation.
This network is supported by a WhatsApp Group that remains a useful communication tool.
We will be announcing a few radio checks soon. Please join in and check your radio before you need it in a crisis!
Importantly, as radios here are specifically tuned to this area, they need to be reprogrammed for use elsewhere if you relocate. We therefore generally encourage transferring them to the incoming residents, but licences then need to be updated. Please contact Karen MacIntyre if your licence needs updating!
This project could really use assistance for the simple admin task of keeping track of radios and licences. Also, if anyone has some knowledge of radio operation, another radio coordinator or two would be most helpful!
Chapman’s Peak Rapid Response Team (CPRT)
It has been a quiet time for our response team this year, and we are due for a review. However, we feel confident that we can call on these individuals at short notice, as was evident with the armed robbery this year when responders rapidly appeared. We will shortly be calling on members to reconvene.
Media and Communications
We try to engage via a wide range of communication and media channels, including via email and our website: (www.cpnw.org.za); via Facebook: Noordhoek Community Forum, and on WhatsApp Groups: Radio Users Group, CPRT, CPNW Committee and Connector Groups.
We have also started posting regular security tips and reminders on flyers that people can put up in their homes. Most recently we have produced a number of fridge magnet flyers (Click here for the PDF) which were made available at the AGM and can now be collected by members from Oshun at the Red Herring Centre. Please take some for your neighbours but tell them they need to become members (for FREE – just go on the website).
We are very grateful to Andy Power for the new rigour she has brought to our recording of incidents and her great creative energy when it comes to our communications efforts. We are also thankful for Rob Mousley and Patrick Wright’s management of social media channels, and to Gwen Hewett for faithfully editing our newsletters!
Generally, it has been good to see a growing level of consciousness in how people participate on social media. We ask members to be careful and respectful, and to adhere to the following principles:
- Don’t spread unverified information.
- Don’t share photographs of people without their consent.
- Be very sensitive about your language use.
- Be very discerning between what is FACT and what is merely reported.
Beach Parking
To ensure better security in the Beach Parking area we have developed a semi-formalised relationship with 3 car guards. They have been provided with free Wi-Fi via the Team House and courtesy of Wibernet, which allows them direct contact with the patrol vehicles.
They have also been provided with reflective jackets that carry a CPNW endorsement and are embossed with QR codes to enable cashless payment via a system we set up for them. We have seen a decline in car break-ins at the beach car park, but there is still a problem when the guards are not on duty. We do have cameras in place too, but visibility is a little obscured by the parking lot trees, so it makes sense at quiet times to park in the front row, or off the lane closest to the houses.
We were recently made aware of concerns regarding the behaviour of at least one of the car guards. This was raised with them, and we have made it clear that further incidents will not be tolerated.
Bin Days
As was evident in the Crime Report, bin days remain a peak time for crime.
This is despite a much better effort by everyone to ensure bins are not put out overnight. Thank You! Although we recognise that some people are very sincere in their efforts to earn money from recycling efforts, others are more opportunistic, or use those looking into bins as cover, and some simply make a mess.
This is clearly a complex problem, and we are not likely to find a satisfactory solution without a lot of effort and participation from anyone who cares about this! On the one hand, we are awaiting feedback from the city on the validity of a legal argument that bins are private property, and if marked as such, only the owner and council workers may legally open them; anyone else could be liable for arrest, or removal from the area.
Aside from the dubious practicality and small likelihood of support from law enforcement, such a plan would seem quite heartless and insular, if we made it entirely impossible for anyone to make use of what we throw away.
Ultimately this is a problem that needs our deeper attention! Is there a way we can bring more safety to the situation and provide support to those who need it? There was an interesting discussion at the AGM about exactly what bin-pickers seem to value, with some surprising information. It was evident from the discussion that the more we develop an understanding of this, the closer we can get to a solution that suits everyone.
Once again, this is an area where a bit of research and brainstorming by interested neighbours could add a whole new layer to our collective safety!
SAPS and Community Policing Forum (CPF) Liaison
We have good relationships with SAPS and the CPF. It has been good to see the reignition of community liaison efforts by SAPS this year, with an increase in outreach efforts, and we continue to keep them informed of our initiatives and particular concerns.
We are very grateful to Sven ten Bokkel Huinink for volunteering to take on the role of Liaison with SAPS and the CPF, which can involve considerable time in meetings!
Security Companies
As recorded in the minutes, we have had mixed results in our relationships with ADT and Deep Blue (DBS), with a few frustrations in terms of ADT’s communication with us and participation in CPF structures. DBS, on the other hand, still has inferior numbers and remains reluctant to commit more resources, at least until it has grown its customer base.
They have, however, been very active in terms of camera monitoring, support with donated cameras, and involvement with the CPF Joint Security Meetings. We appreciate the work Sean Moolenschot puts into liaising with the security companies!
Fire
We are fortunate to accommodate Volunteer Wildfire Services at the NCC, which has made our own volunteer fire team somewhat redundant, but we continue to recognise that fires remain a key threat. Our committee is also very lucky to have a recognised authority on firefighting and fire prevention, Tessa Olivier, to keep us in touch with all things fire-related!
As we are reaching the peak of the fire season, we urge everyone to remember to review fire safety measures in and around the home, such as dry vegetation near buildings, gutters filled with leaves and the availability of fire extinguishers and water.
We ask residents who live near the locations of fire hydrants to check these: (locations as per map)
Please make sure it is clearly marked, accessible and easy to open, and the coupling is clean and clear of debris. As those of us who have been here during previous fires, you do want a working hydrant near your home when a fire is nearby! If hydrants need repair please report them to the City via the online portal www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests, on the MyCapeTown Fault Reporting App or send a WhatsApp to 060 018 1505.
The Noordhoek Community Centre (NCC)
The NCC, once a derelict crime hazard before CPNW received the lease 10 years ago, has been transformed into a well-used community resource, with the income it generates paying for its upkeep and ongoing renovation, and proving an important funding stream for security projects. We are hugely grateful to Karen MacIntyre for the vast amount of hard work she puts into this! We are also very pleased to have received and accepted an offer from the City to extend our lease for a further 10 years!
Financial Report
We are in a solid financial position, made possible by member donations and income from the NCC. We have established a money market account to hold surplus funds, which have accumulated despite our regular spending on cameras. Based on past experience, we have learned that it is very useful to keep a “war chest” for emergencies, as was needed in the past during spates of home invasions or beach crimes. We thank Geoff Young for his services as treasurer.
“New” Committee
It has to be said that our process of appointing a new CPNW Committee more closely resembled a press-ganging than a fiercely contested election!
However, with enormous gratitude, I can announce that everyone on the existing committee has agreed to stay on for another year. Although this has generally been the case for a while now, we do seem to be getting one or two new volunteers for tasks each year too. Sitting in on a meeting does seem a better way of bringing people in, so we reiterate our invitation to those who did offer to help, and anyone else who might be interested in helping or bringing something to our attention, to attend our next committee meeting.
- First Committee Meeting for 2026: 12 January at 18h00 at the NCC.
Provisional dates for meetings thereafter are as follows: 09 Feb / 09 Mar / 13 Apr / 11 May / 08 Jun /13 Jul / 10 Aug / 14 Sep / 12 Oct / 09 Nov / 14 Dec.
We meet at 1800 at the Community Centre and try to keep our meetings as short as possible, mostly getting home well before 19h30. It would be wonderful to have you there!
Finally, we would like to wish everyone a safe holiday season and a wonderful 2026!
Please do remember this is also CRIME and FIRE season:
Keep your homes secure!
Alert your visitors!
Let your neighbours know when you are going away!
The CPNW Committee
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