Date posted: January 20, 2019

Dear Neighbours

Crime Spike

After celebrating a relatively low-crime year at our AGM in late November, we have unfortunately been hit with a series of incidents, suggestive of at least three, if not four different groups of criminals, most of whom are likely to be visiting our area again.

Window Specialists

In the most recent of these, which took place at around 03:30 am on 16 January, a resident in Oak Street woke up to the sight of a burglar, who had broken in by painstakingly removing the putty and two layers of glass from a double-glazed lounge window, departing with a large screen television he had taken from the wall. The perpetrator was described as being of short stature and dark in complexion. Although the alarm was raised and both ADT and response team members began to search the area fairly quickly, the perpetrator was not spotted. This follows on a similar incident on 9 January in Poplar Rd when a window was removed and a large screen TV as well as other goods were taken whilst two dogs were asleep in the house.

In both cases, house alarms had not been switched on at the time of the burglaries. The brazen nature of these break-ins, as well as the methods used are highly reminiscent of the extended series of “blue-glove gang” incidents in the entire Noordhoek area throughout 2017 and into the early part of last year another feature of which was eyewitness accounts of one or more perpetrators of distinctively small stature.

These incidents came to an abrupt end after the apprehension of a man of short stature who was spotted apparently in the act of breaking into a property in San Michelle. He turned out to be a Malawian national who was also in the country illegally. Rather shockingly, we learned that he had recently been released from prison after being held on a trespassing charge, as he had not been linked to any other crimes.

Home Invasion

Also of major concern has been news of a home invasion in Protea Rd that involved the use of concrete blocks to smash a security door. It is evident however that the owner of the property is made of tougher stuff than his door as he managed to fight at least two perpetrators off despite sustaining a stab wound to the arm. He and a faithful small dog required surgical intervention as a result of being stabbed and we wish them both well on their path to recovery! This is the second recent break-in at the house that has been fought off by the owner but we are unsure as to whether the two incidents are related.

Other Incidents

In an incident on 12 December, on the same property, 18 saddles were stolen from a riding livery. Evidence was found that these were carried off through the wetlands and a few of the saddles were recovered.

There have also been a number of thefts burglaries from the outside of properties and break-ins into  out-buildings and garages, in Avondrust Mews and Avondrust Lane.

Following a similar type of break-in, on Hoek Street in the early hours of 13 January and suspect was apprehended, fleeing the scene in the possession of stolen goods by one of our ADT patrollers but a second suspect escaped and a television was not recovered.

We also had news of a break-in into a car on the afternoon of 27 December on the Common.    

“Blue-gloves Burglar”

If our previous experiences are anything to go on, we can expect a series of attempts of a similar succession to follow in the near future. If we are to bring these to a halt we are going to need to tighten up security measures significantly and to develop every strategy we can to  try and catch the perpetrators or at least deter them from further attempts in our area.     

It is thus worth summarizing what we do know about some of the different types of incident we are experiencing and  then thinking a little more carefully about what we can do.

With regard to the so-called “Blue-gloves” or “cat” burglar:

·       This involves at least one individual of small stature and dark complexion who may even be a Malawian National previously associated with such events.

·       Break-ins occur via the removal of unalarmed window panes and take place while residents and animals are asleep in the house usually between 2 and 4 am. Houses with no alarms on or ones where alarms have been switched off alarms due to apparent faults have been targeted. Perimeter beams have also been evaded.

·       The burglaries are exceptionally well planned and it would appear that extensive observation is done prior to the break-ins.

·       Past incidents pointed to a heavy smoker who spent long periods waiting UNDER COVER.

·       The perpetrators seem to be entering and leaving the immediate area by foot and possibly stashing stolen objects for later removal or meeting a vehicle just outside the area.

The pattern of ongoing, less sophisticated thefts from out-buildings is ongoing and points to a regular pattern of surveillance for vulnerabilities on bigger properties in particular.

Trends

The periodic theft of large numbers of saddles and other riding equipment suggests an organised syndicate and a high demand for horse-riding equipment.

The threat of further Home Invasions cannot be discounted.

Our open spaces, such as the Beach and the Common are frequented by individuals on the lookout for opportunity.  

We have also noticed an increased frequency of incidents of various sorts, in association with building or other activities such as the provision of services that involve people spending time in the area and moving from door to door.

Whilst this does not infer that anyone involved in legitimate activities is intentionally providing assistance to criminals but what it does illustrate is the extent to which it raises opportunities for detailed information about how we live and what our vulnerabilities are, to become available. As much as this could be through basic social gossip, we also believe that some individuals use the cover that these activities provide, to move about in the area.    

Our Response

So key to any response we generate is our own information gathering and communication. Thus the more we know and talk to everyone in our street, including the builders working down the road, the person walking past every day on her way to work and even the bin pickers, the more we not only become aware of who shouldn’t be there but also develop our own information networks. Let us know what you see and hear: info@cpnw.org.za

Street-view Cameras

With this in mind we would also like to develop a database of any street-view cameras in the area so we can review footage in the vicinity of crime scenes. If you do have a camera that covers your sidewalk or an area of the street please message Karen at 0765812429 with the word “camera” and your address.

Connector Groups

We also need to grow and maintain our connections with our neighbours using the Connector Groups (Contact Lynne: lchogan@netactive.co.za), so please encourage others to form and join these vital networks.

Take an active interest in the environment around your street. Be aware of where new paths are forming or where plants have been flattened, check for damage to fences and let your neighbours know what you are seeing. Ask about agitated dogs on you Connector group.

Review your alarm system

Please be vigilant about checking your alarms and reviewing whether you have sufficient coverage, particularly for out-buildings and consider getting outdoor sensors too, if you do not have these.

Radios

Of course we encourage everyone who does not have a radio to get one and for those who do to carry out regular checks and to keep it on, on channel 8, with the charger unplugged, overnight. There is no obligation to respond but the more houses that simply light up, when we know there are perpetrators in the area, the stronger the message we are sending!  

Quick Response Team

Of course we can always use more volunteers for our response team and we are also looking for someone located in the Avenues, who would be willing to act as a radio coordinator. If you are interested in helping with either of these roles, please contact Craig@bothaemail.co.za

Volunteer Needed!

We also need more assistance with our LPR camera system and we are, in particular looking for someone with IT skills and some knowledge of cameras to help with overseeing the system. If you are interested please contact Lynne: lchogan@netactive.co.za

Beach Security

We are pleased to report that, generally, the beach has been quieter with a greater presence from SAN Parks in the form of Visitor Safety Ranger Vasen Govender spending more time in the area and further support being offered by Working on Fire teams, who have assisted with patrolling.

Vasen is however also required to patrol further afield and on one of the occasions that he was not in the area, two armed males were spotted in the region of the Kakapo wreck, although no-one was accosted. Unfortunately there is very little patrolling in the early mornings or late afternoon so please be very careful at these times.

We have also increase signage at the beach and we would be grateful if everyone would alert unsuspecting visitors!

Here’s hoping we can stop this trend in its tracks and wishing everyone a safe 2019!

The CPNW Committee