Date posted: December 18, 2019
Dear neighbours,Crime Update
Unfortunately, our more than 9 month crime free run in the CPNW has come to an abrupt end with two incidents in our area as well as one on the nearby sports fields.
Mugging
In the first of these, a woman walking her dogs near the sports fields had her cell phone taken on the morning of 18 October. We have been told that a perpetrator was later identified and apprehended, with the phone by some of the rugby players who use the fields, to whom we are enormously grateful.
Theft from Car
On 20 October a car, parked at the Common was broken into and objects removed. It was thought to have been locked and alarmed at the time so the possibility that a jammer was used has been raised. Regardless of whether this is the case, or not, this incident serves as a good reminder to avoid leaving anything of value on display in a parked car and also to be doubly careful to ensure that locks and alarms are indeed activated when using a remote device.
Burglary
On the night of 28 October or in the early hours the following morning a break-in took place at a house in Beach Rd, with the theft of a wallet and a laptop. The house was entered through a bathroom window and it does not seem that any alarm system was being used.
Fortunately the wallet was retrieved by an ADT officer near the Common with some cards and a driver’s licence still in it although cash had been removed. Reports from residents in Beach Rd suggest that there may have been some activity in the road prior to the break-in, with signs that people may have been around and on the lookout for opportunities. This is thus a good reminder to us all to ensure we do have working alarm systems in place and to be particularly vigilant about suspicious activity late in the night.
Robbery at the Friendly Grocer
Earlier in the month, as most will be aware, there was an armed robbery at the local Friendly Grocer. A suspect was immediately arrested with the assistance of ADT officers and we were very pleased to receive news that his accomplices have since also been apprehended.
What can we do?
We can thus be fairly certain that, with the onset of summer, which is generally when we do see more crime, we can expect there to be further attempts in our area, as well as along the Beach, so we must as everyone to not only exercise caution but also to warn visitors to the area and particularly on the Beach.
We are convinced that, by maintaining a high level of vigilance, we can deter a great deal of the crime that does happen, so we would like to ask everyone to review security systems now, before the height of the summer and to make sure your radio is working properly by doing the odd radio check. It is also a good time to start thinking about holiday arrangements, whether these involves having guests from abroad and briefing them on security-consciousness or on ensuring that your house is protected whilst you are away.
CPNW AGM
Finally we would like to invite everyone to our AGM on 18 November at 630 for 7, at the Community Hall. Aside from the usual report backs, we will be discussing some of the challenges we have had in terms of Security Providers and we will reporting back on our negotiations with and assessment of a potential new Provider.
We thus, collectively have some very important decisions to make, so we would really appreciate a good turn out! We will also be rounding the evening off with a braai and some drinks to share but please bring along a little extra, it is always good to get to know one another but critically so when we understand that the key to a safe environment is a community that stands together.
The CPNW Committee
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