CPNW NEWSLETTER – MARCH 2020

Date posted: March 25, 2020

Dear Neighbours

The warmest of greetings to each one of you in these anxious and challenging times!

Crime Potential

From a strictly security-related standpoint, it is probably wise to acknowledge that the economic impact of this pandemic can only be expected to stimulate further crime, whilst worst-case scenarios involving civil disruption of some form or another also come into consideration – thus there is plenty to be worried about. Conversely, our capacity to act collectively not only has a direct impact on those around us but it also serves also to reduce anxiety, as we feel more empowered, whilst our actions promote the same kind of calm and supportive behaviour from everyone!

Perhaps the most important things we should emphasise at a time like this, are:

• To remain calm


• To carefully consider the information we receive, by considering its validity and what we pass on, as well as in terms of how seriously we take it.

And most importantly:

• To understand that in such a time of crisis, unified action must be prioritised above many of the individual choices we usually take from granted. We need to be ready to take direction from those who are entrusted with this authority – with the key priority at this moment being the minimisation of human contact.

Networks

We are fortunate to already have developed networks, not only for urgent security-related issues such as the radio-network but also the Connector Groups that are ideal for planning how we can collectively reduce time spent in public, yet take care of one another, and particularly the more vulnerable among us. We urge everyone to do your bit to enhance such networks and to ensure that everyone is included, so that we can be prepared for the more stringent lockdown we will soon be facing.

As a community, we have also done well to develop groups such as the:

• NRA (https://www.facebook.com/pages/NRA-Noordhoek-Riding-Association/307237692685024)


• The Noordhoek Ratepayers Association (https://www.com/groups/nrpa/


• NEAG https://www.thenoordhoekhub.com/groups/nrpa/


• the Volunteer Fire Unit,


• On the Verge,


• Noordhoeked,


• the Riding Club

and many others that look after our local interests. Working with such groups provides us with an abundance of opportunities in our neighbourhood that not only improve our resilience in the face of such crises but also protect against the sense of isolation and powerlessness that such times may bring. We would encourage everyone who suddenly finds themselves spending more time at home, to find out what is happening locally, to build up your connections with those who share your interests and work collectively to look after the things that we love. Seldom before has the dictum: “Think globally, act locally!” rung so true!

As a first practical step, through your whatsapp connector group, you can find out who in your street needs assistance.  (For example, it’s advisable particularly for older or immune-compromised folks to avoid shopping.  Find out who they are and whether they’d like their groceries to be collected.)

Crime Update

Ironically, from the standpoint of preventing criminal activity, things have probably never been so good! A single report of two bicycles that were stolen from a driveway in Poplar Rd on the 24^th of February, since our last newsletter, brings the total number of robberies we have recorded this year to 3 with no actual housebreakings.

We currently have both Deep Blue and FADT providing dedicated vehicles in the area, the cheapest rates for armed response that we have had in many years, and work on the establishment of a growing system of cameras with AI enhanced monitoring, is at an advanced stage. Of course the current situation is unlikely to be sustainable for both companies, in the longer-term, unless a substantially larger proportion of residents in our area sign up for armed response (AR), and with it, the collective service that is provided to our whole community. We have investigated whether the activities of security providers will be affected by the lockdown and we have it on good authority that they will be permitted to operate.

Deep Blue Security – Intro Meeting

We are grateful to everyone who came to find out about Deep Blue Security at the meeting we held to introduce them, on 19 February. In addition to getting a better understanding about Deep Blue’s offering, it was good to hear the various thoughts and concerns of those who attended. It also allowed us to explain our position, as well as to understand better the challenges we face, in working out how we use individual contracting with a security provider, to ensure a collective benefit.

It is in this respect that we believe that we have achieved something worth pursuing in our relationship with Deep Blue, and hence we continue to encourage residents to consider their proposal as one that is able to enhance security for us all. (We would also love it if everyone would have a word have a word with those neighbours who don’t have AR!) Although Deep Blue have, thus far, not had much of a marketing presence in our community, they have indicated that they are first intent on establishing and fine-tuning their services in the area as well as what they can offer at the customer interface and will soon be marketing more intensively.

If you wish to learn more about DBS, check out their website at https://deepbluesecurity.co.za/.

Email them at sales@deepbluesecurity.co.za. More contacts are:

• Lisa Mellon – 061 143 5983 or lisa@deepbluesecurco.za


• Mia van den Berg – 079 638 1561 or mia@deepbluesecurity.co.za.


• Martin Botha – 082 387 4075 or martin@deepbluesecurity.co.za

For those who are interested, details of Deep Blue’s Service Provider Contract and the SLA they have signed off on with us are on our website, as is our motivation for recommending them and details of the processes we went through to take this step.

Community Centre

On a very positive community note, we have been delighted to see how regularly the Community Centre is being used! In less than three years, we have seen its transformation from a derelict crime-hazard to a highly functional space for a variety of community uses. This is not only providing services in terms of security presence and fire preparedness but is also becoming a valued space for meetings and social gatherings.

The increased income from usage has been a great help in looking after the Centre but we have some larger-budget items, such as flooring, roofing repairs and window-work that require some additional funds. We will be having the floor redone in the coming week which we think will make a huge difference but with a little help from everyone (perhaps one month’s saving on the security company bill) we can make that Centre into a yet another really lovely feature of this community! (To be enjoyed in the future – with a current limit on gatherings.)

Please make any donations to the CPNW Bank Account as follows:

Chapman’s Peak Neighbourhood Watch

Standard Bank

Fish Hoek

Account Number 27-036-443-9

Please send confirmations to: Geoff Young: gvwyoung@gmail.com

We wish everyone a safe and healthy month!