Date posted: June 18, 2024
Dear Neighbours,Beach Attack
Alarmingly, we were alerted last week to another attack on a woman running alone on the beach. In what could have been a far more serious incident, the two perpetrators described as ‘young coloured males’ reportedly attempted to drag her into the dunes. This took place in the mid-afternoon not far from the horse path, on the ocean side of the lagoon. Its brazen nature is particularly alarming.
Although probably unrelated to the incident that occurred last week, this reminds us that even if we manage to keep our neighbourhood relatively safe, gender-based violence is rife in our country, and the dangers to vulnerable individuals alone on the beach cannot be exaggerated. Aside from our warnings, we do have some oversight camera coverage of some parts of the wetlands.
It would be invaluable to be able to make this area safer, but it is a vast area with multiple access points, under the control of SANParks with whom we are in contact. A coordinated security plan for the beach and wetlands that includes both increased surveillance and rapid response would benefit a range of different beach users.
Volunteers Wanted
Many in our community could no-doubt contribute different skillsets and resources to help make this possible if they were brought together. It is a worthy goal we will support in what ways we can as CPNW, but for this to really come together we need a group of organised, and motivated individuals. Let us know if you would be interested!
Burglary
On the night of 2 June there was unfortunately a break-in attempt in Beach Road, but the perpetrators were disturbed and left. Later at about 2 am there was a burglary in Malabar Close, in which a wide range of electronic equipment was stolen from a couple who had recently moved in and not yet installed security.
In both cases the perpetrators removed putty and took out a window pane to gain entrance. Electronic tracking signals on some of the stolen goods indicated that they were quickly transferred in Delft, before contact was lost.
Skilled Perpetrators
As with the Hoek Street incidents last month, these crimes involved skilled individuals, significant prior surveillance, careful planning, and the use of neighbouring gardens as access routes. We have twice been notified that the San Michelle Neighbourhood Watch cameras picked up suspects apparently doing surveillance late at night.
Thwarting this kind of crime is a huge challenge, but the fewer unsecured houses and gardens we have in the area, the less we will get targeted!
Rapid Response Team – Volunteers Welcome
We have a rapid response team (RRT) briefed, and with everyone’s support, we can hopefully raise the alarm quickly enough next time they enter the area to let them know that our community is too risky to operate in! Our RRT can always use more patrollers – note that we only patrol during an active incident, so there is no regular demand. The idea is to shut down the area whilst the AR Teams intervene directly. We don’t expect any heroics, and prefer if nobody patrols alone, so please do join us!
Camera Network
We currently have 47 oversight and licence-plate-reading cameras in use. As this network continues to grow, we will be hiring a local company to assist with the maintenance requirements on a regular basis. Contracting out work that can be done by outside parties helps to make volunteering sustainable, and we try to maintain this balance with the support of everyone in our community!
We are particularly lucky to have the Community Centre as a key revenue generator for CPNW, but it takes a huge amount of work to keep it running and well maintained. Here again we can always use more assistance. At times we will also have to appeal for financial support for key projects and encourage neighbours to come together to sponsor cameras or other interventions in an area.
Thoughts about the Future…
The recent national election has brought considerable angst for many, and the subsequent events have been both sobering and optimistic. The proximity of destabilising forces that potentially threaten everyone’s way of life have again been brought home to us, both by the unfolding political drama and the recent criminal events in our area. Both are reminders of the enormous task before us if we are to live happy and fulfilling lives in this country. Yet somehow our politicians have managed, at least for the moment, to find solutions that might allow us all to work together for a positive future.
At the recent Noordhoek Ratepayers Association (NRPA) AGM we were once again reminded of the tremendous amount local residents are doing to make this such a special place to live. Our future here and in this country can be incredibly bright, but for this to happen we need to put in the work. Please pause to consider what further you could do or contribute to help create the best possible future for yourselves and your children in this beautiful neighbourhood.
Join in!
Send us an email or attend our next meeting and tell us what you will do to help! Alternatively, join one of the other community groups in Noordhoek or offer to help the NRPA. The more we actively build our community, the more it gives back to us!
Finally, whilst wishing everyone a good winter holiday, please remember, if you are going away, to inform your armed response company, alert your neighbours and leave everything secure!
Wishing everyone a warm and safe winter!!
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