Date posted: March 20, 2026
Dear Neighbours,Beware of Car-jammers!
Please be very aware of car-jammers operating in the area! We have had at least 3 incidents at the Beach parking lot last week. The suspects take advantage of the busier times in the parking lot, and are skilled at evading both our cameras, everyone coming and going, as well as the parking attendants, who seem not to be quite making the grade as car guards.
We do have some plans for upgrading security, which I will elaborate on shortly, but this will come at a cost, and equally critically, we all need to be particularly vigilant, both about ensuring our cars are locked, and that we have left nothing of value in them, when we head down to the beach!
Crime Update
It has been some time since a comprehensive crime update, with the last newsletter focussing exclusively on issues around waste pickers, so here is a comprehensive list of incidents since the December 18 newsletter:
- On the morning of 19 December, a Friday, an unsecured bicycle was stolen from a property in Hoek Street.
- On 25 January, at some time during the day, a large amount of wiring and a tap were taken from a building site, also in Hoek Street.
- On 27 January, also during the day, a number of gas bottles were stolen from one of the restaurants at the Red Herring Centre.
- On 4 February , there was a break-in at an Airbnb off Mountain Rd, between 20h30 and 22h30, when the residents, who were visitors to the area, went out for supper, neglecting to set their alarm, and leaving the house unsecured. Although cameras from De Goede Hoop Estate did spot 4 men with backpacks, on Chapmans Peak that night, inspection of the properties in the area would suggest that access was from below, as immediate access from above is well protected. It was noted that there is a busy building site below the properties.
- On the night between 2 and 3 March 3 there was a break-in to one of the offices at the Red Herring Centre. Camera Footage has been made available to SAPS.
- Car jamming incidents March 7, 10 and 11, early and mid-afternoon, camera footage has been made available to SAPS.
This makes a total of 8 incidents in the last 3 months, and highlights how we are increasingly targeted as visitors come to the area. It is also notable that most incidents were associated with lapses in security, something we need to work hard to alert visitors to - and constantly remind ourselves of!
Regarding the jamming problem, we have taken steps to increase the signage and have worked hard to publicise the issue on local media. We should also note that jamming has not only happened in the past, at the beach parking, but also at the Common, and so we can expect to see more widespread attempts as parking areas fill up overflow into our streets.
Parking Attendants
Besides their apparent lack of effectiveness in preventing car jamming, our experience with at least two of the three parking attendants has been less than satisfactory on several fronts. This includes unreliability, inappropriate behaviour in how they solicit tips, an inability to work as a team, and possibly more serious concerns. We have thus started to investigate a more formal arrangement, involving the procurement of services from one of our security providers.
We are hopeful that, in concert with the support camera-monitoring and the AR Vehicles, there would be a much higher chance of success, and we would be eager to implement something as soon as possible. This will of course, take funding, and although we do keep a “war chest” of funds for this kind of purpose, we are hoping to be able to limit this need to peak seasons, and we will need to do some fundraising to make this sustainable.
We are considering setting up a dedicated fund for this purpose and we are hopeful that local businesses, individuals who use the beach often, and other NW’s and Community Organisations will be willing to give us your support! It would be good to hear any thoughts and ideas on this via your feedback.
Traffic Issues
We are also noticing that a range of traffic-related issues are on the increase, from parking offences to problems like speeding, and driving under the influence. Although not strictly limited to the Chapmans Peak area, we have taken on board growing concerns about this and we have joined with the NRPA, in bringing this to the attention of the relevant city authorities.
Refuse Bins
On the Bin issue, we have been pleased to note a striking reduction in numbers on our streets on Fridays, after increased patrolling by SAPS, Security Companies and our residents!
This will, of course be a recurring problem, so the challenge is to make our responses sustainable by turning them into habits that we all see as part of our communal responsibility in the area, and something we make newcomers aware of. We have noticed a resurgence of bins being left out overnight again – this seems to be a particular issue at businesses, where this is left to staff or visitors, so we would urge such places to implement systems whereby visitors are informed of this, and/or special arrangements are made to ensure the bins are only taken out in the mornings.
City Improvement District
All of these issues do, of course, again raise the issue of developing Noordhoek as a City Improvement District, as they pertain to our whole community. This is an undertaking we would strongly support, but its initiation and development is well beyond our capacity as one organisation. It would require a dedicated team of motivated individuals and significant funding, to see it through, but we are hopeful that, with the continued growth of business in the area, everyone will start to see this as a key investment that will secure our futures in a prosperous and peaceful Noordhoek!
Volunteers
It has been pleasing to note that more members are taking an interest in our meetings, and we are very happy to welcome Carol-Ann Parsons onto the team, who is providing some very helpful support in managing the NCC.
We are looking for anyone who can provide assistance with maintaining and developing our camera network. Although some knowledge or interest in CCTV technology would be a bonus, this is not critical, as we really need people who can take on admin tasks, such as coordinating with property owners, and installation teams, as well as specific tasks like monitoring and arranging maintenance.
Committee Meetings
Please remember anyone is welcome to our Committee Meetings! Dates are: 13 Apr / 11 May / 08 Jun/ 13 Jul / 10 Aug / 14 Sep / 12 Oct / 09 Nov / 14 Dec – 18h00 at the NCC.
Wishing everyone a safe month, and some cooler weather!
The CPNW Team.
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