Date posted: October 21, 2021
Dear Neighbours,Jeanette Beaukes
We were very sad to note the tragic passing of Jeannette Beukes, who served faithfully as secretary to the Committee since as far back as 2010.
Jeannette played a critical role, not only in ensuring that our administrative functions were well taken care of and that the minutes were always done on time, but she also became a valued friend and an important voice of reason when the perspective of someone from outside of the neighbourhood was required.
She will be badly missed.
Crime Update – CPNW Area
Regarding crime in the area, it has been a very quiet couple of months since the last newsletter, with the only incident in the area that we are aware of taking place on the night of 19 September, involving an apparently intoxicated individual causing a disturbance in and around Acacia Street. He was detained by patrol officers and removed by SAPS.
Incidents
Although not strictly in our area, two other incidents have raised concerns. The first was a reported attempted mugging at the lookout point of Chapmans peak Drive above Monkey Valley on 13 September. The second was a report that two middle aged men, one described as Caucasian and the other as of mixed race (these were the only details provided) who had allegedly approached a childminder who was taking a four-year-old girl for a walk, on Silvermine Road, near the entrance to cape Point Vineyards. They reportedly tried to persuade the minder to “sell” the child to them and offered to meet again with her the next day, telling her she was “stupid” when she declined. A case has been opened with SAPS and it seems that SMNW has been assisting with some CCTV footage.
This kind of incident is obviously very worrying, particularly to anyone with small children. It is thus critical to ensure that anyone walking with small children does have a means of obtaining help quickly, such as a cellphone and does have the numbers of the ADT of Deep Blue vehicles available. We would also stress the importance of obtaining clear and detailed descriptions and of reporting any such events to SAPS immediately.
Crime Nearby
Also of concern has been a number of reports of home invasions in the Kommetjie and Fishoek areas, particularly on properties on the Mountainside. This again raises the importance of using outside sensors in addition to indoor alarms, so that the alarm can be raised before intruders manage to get into buildings.
Camera Network
On a positive note, we are pleased to report that we have been making steady progress in developing our camera network, with the addition of a large oversight camera in the wetlands and increasing numbers of Street Overview, as well as Licence Plate Recognition cameras.
Our vision, ultimately, is to be able to develop this to the extent that we have an “intelligent” system in place that is quickly able to detect suspicious activity throughout the area and which we can use as a “virtual patrol”. We are steadily raising funds to support additional cameras and technology and we are also hoping, ultimately to also to be able to link the growing of private cameras in the area, into the system. We believe that this is the next “big step” we need to take in order to stay ahead of those with criminal intent and by doing so we can maintain the remarkably low crime rate in our area.
Looking for Volunteers
To do so however, we will need additional assistance from people with the right kind of expertise, as well as the energy and enthusiasm to take our neighbourhood to this next level of safety. So, if the vision of an ever-safer neighbourhood in the future appeals to you and you have the right skills then please consider joining a small camera sub-committee!
We are looking for people with:
- A good understanding of IT networks.
- An interest in CCTV and camera hardware.
- A variety of handyman skills and a willingness to do “hands on” work.
So, if that sounds like you, drop us a line at info@cpnw.org.za !
Privacy
Of course, and for good reason, concerns about privacy always come up when we get onto the subject of surveillance cameras, and we understand that it is important to maintain a careful balance between the need for safety and individual privacy.
Thus, we want to assure everyone that, as is the case with the LPR Network, we will strive to ensure that information obtained from the cameras is carefully controlled and managed in a manner that ensures it is used solely for its intended purposes of crime prevention and response and is only made available to those with this specific mandate.
Community Centre
We are pleased to report that the Community Centre is absolutely thriving with increased bookings every month. We are putting a substantial amount of the funds generated directly into making further improvements with the surplus going to CPNW Projects.
New developments involve the possibility of puppy training classes and ballroom/Latin classes being started at the NCC. Whether these happen or not will depend on how many people may be interested in attending. So, if either of these are of interest to you, let us know and we will put you in touch with the relevant instructor. You can email us your interest to bookings@cpnw.org.za .
CPNW Database
With our continual efforts to keep the CPNW database up to date, we have become aware of more people selling houses and leaving the area and, it follows, that new people have moved in. PLEASE, once again, if you are receiving this letter and you have moved from Chapman’s Peak, just hit the reply button and let us know – one simple word “GONE” will suffice. If you have contact details of the new owner that would be a real bonus And as importantly if a new neighbour has moved in near you, please go and welcome them and let them know how to become part of the CPNW Team!
AGM
Lastly, it is AGM time again. Please join us at the Community Centre on 15 November 2021 at 1830 for 1900 and please give some serious thought to doing your bit for CPNW, either on the Camera Project or by Joining the Committee!
Stay Safe!
Your CPNW Committee
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