Date posted: May 30, 2024
Dear Neighbours,Stolen Trailer Recovered
We start with some good news: Shortly after our April newsletter went out, we received word that the trailer reported stolen from Willoughby Drive was recovered and returned to the owner.
This took place after the car used in the theft was traced to its third owner in six months… The car was impounded, and the owner arrested after the trailer was found in his possession, already modified by him with a few improvements! The arrest involved some quite persistent detective work, and we are very grateful to the owner for taking the effort to report the crime and then follow-up with SAPS.
Our impression of SAPS Fish Hoek in recent years has been that they are working quite well, with dedicated but overloaded detectives. Our ability to provide solid evidence from our cameras and the improved personal relationships resulting from our members reporting crimes and working to support SAPS are really paying off.
Burglaries
In less positive news, we recorded two break-ins in Hoek Street on 24 April and 1 May. In both cases, windowpanes were removed to gain access into the homes, and a range of electronic items, cell phones, bags and wallets were stolen. In the first incident it was reported that there had been recent building work on the site, leading to the suspicion that information regarding security arrangements might have found its way to the perpetrators.
In the second case, camera footage and cell-phone signals suggested that the perpetrators approached through a property in Heldray Close and left via Pepper Lane and then through properties in Malabar Close. As with the trailer theft, it seems that much of the criminal activity in the area involves careful planning and surveillance beforehand.
Opportunistic Theft
On 27 April, in the early hours of the morning, a bicycle that had been left outside was stolen from a property in Sleepy Hollow Lane in what looks like an opportunistic crime. On 29 April a presumed break-in attempt at Monkey Valley was reported: two men were detected on the property but fled before they could be apprehended.
In another incident involving vehicle break-ins at the Common, a handbag was stolen from a vehicle during the horse show on 12 May. It seems the car was left temporarily unlocked, suggesting, as with other incidents at the Common, that the perpetrators were monitoring the parking area and waiting for an opportunity. We have now placed warning signs at the parking areas around the Common.
Kakapo Wreck – Crime Hotspot
Sadly, we also have news of another attempted attack on the beach near the wreck. On 16 May a woman was accosted by an African male wearing a red top. After ascertaining that she was alone, he flashed his genitals at her and later tried to assault her, but she escaped by fleeing into the sea.
Home Invasions
Finally, on the night of Friday 24 May and in the early hours of 25 May, a group of men carrying knives and axes entered De Goode Hoop Estate through an unsecured section of fence, committing burglary at one house without being detected and then invading a second home where the occupants were disturbed and held hostage while the robbery took place. This is one of several recent incursions into De Goode Hoop estate, possibly related to vulnerabilities in the security measures on the estate.
Vigilance Required
These incidents once again serve as a reminder that crime continues to be a huge problem and that, even in our own neighbourhood, a lot of surveillance is taking place. Sooner or later, any vulnerabilities will be taken advantage of. It is therefore imperative that we all keep upping our game! Whilst the De Goode Hoop incidents suggest that even very high security levels can’t guarantee total safety, we have consistently shown that building a vigilant community that acts as community and continually develops new approaches to crime prevention makes our area significantly safer than anywhere else! This includes securing properties thoroughly, employing armed response services, encouraging all our neighbours to do the same and join CPNW, and volunteering for some of the ever-growing list of tasks we’d like to implement as a Neighbourhood Watch!
Volunteers Needed for Chapman’s Peak Response Team
We have recently reviewed our CPRT membership and basic protocols, but we need at least a dozen more volunteers! We don’t require any heroics, we just need you to be able to use a radio, respond to a call-out, and with a partner, monitor a designated intersection, whilst staying in touch with a radio coordinator.
Call-outs are extremely rare but the more responders we have the better! If you are willing to become a responder, please let us know by replying to this newsletter!
Security Camera Network
We are developing our camera network all the time, with 46 cameras in the area to date. They use analytic systems that provide alerts and display images when unusual activity is detected, allowing for effective live monitoring and response. We are pleased that Deep Blue Security has quickly linked them all to their system and we are steadily getting more of them monitored by ADT. As these cameras are not cheap to install or maintain, we encourage neighbours to get together to fund a camera in their own area, and we are also very grateful for any donations for cameras that have been installed!
Volunteer Needed – Information Officer
We also need some help with admin and investigative work. Information is critical and not every crime fighter needs to be an action hero! So, if anyone has good skills in speaking to recent victims of crime, an inquisitive mind, and a keen eye for detail, we desperately need someone to act as an information officer, to gather the facts when a crime has taken place.
This will help us to keep accurate records, let everyone know what’s happened and, critically, help us to decide on future strategies to keep crime down. If you, or perhaps a small group of friends, feel you could take on this very important role, please let us know. We will, of course, prepare you for the work and provide all the support you might need.
Community Centre News
In more positive news, we are very grateful for all the donations of photographs to the Noordhoek Community Centre. The latest contributions include some lovely pictures of ‘Old Noordhoek’. The Hall is looking more and more like a real home to our community.
Housekeeping
Lastly, a few housekeeping points:
- If anyone has radios that don’t work anymore or that they want to get rid of, please let us know by reply. We can always use them!
- If anyone is receiving this newsletter and no longer resides in Chapmans Peak, please let us know so we can keep our database up to date.
- If anyone has changed email address, phone number, etc., please update this on your profile on the website or let us know so we can update it!
We hope everyone has a safe and warm winter, and for those who will be going away on holiday, please check your security systems now and be sure to let your security company and neighbours know!
The CPNW Team
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