News Letter December 2016

Date posted: December 7, 2016

Dear Neighbours

Thank you to everyone who came to the AGM! It was a somewhat smaller gathering than it has been for several years but, paradoxically, we feel reassured that this was a reflection of the relative lack of crime in our area, which has, in the past, tended to result in a smaller turn out at meetings. We trust that this does not reflect any sense of complacency! Crime levels in Fishhoek at the moment are worryingly high and we can be sure that attention will return to our area in due course. As was set out in our Chairperson’s report (available on the website), our key strategies involve three core areas of focus:

1. A strong relationship with a security service provider and an emphasis on ensuring the properties are properly secured.

2. High levels of surveillance and communications in our area.

3. A strong response capacity.

Our sense is that all of these work together in ensuring a high deterrent effect but equally we have learned that there is always something of an “arms race” on the go and if we do not keep improving our game, especially when we note a slight uptick in incidents, the crime will very quickly return.

So at this time (often referred to as the “Christmas shopping period” with rather differing interpretations of the word “shopping”) we must urge everyone to make doubly sure that security systems are working, to let neighbours (and Security companies) know if you are going to be away and if you are going to have people staying in your house and also to let any guests know about our security arrangements. With only two incidents in the past month (both failed attempts to break in with one resulting in an arrest!) and an average of under 2.5 incidents per month for the whole year (in 44+ houses) we really do have a good story to tell so we should not shy away from ensuring that visitors are aware of the crime risk and briefed on what to do to avoid becoming a victim.

We have become aware, via social media, of some degree of discontent about the fees charged by our preferred security provider ADT. Whilst we all share concerns about price increases in the current economic climate, we still do believe that we receive high value from ADT, as reflected by our crime stats. It should be noted that none of the competitors in the area were willing to offer a service with a dedicated vehicle and additional patrolling at similar rates, when we initially set out our terms in finding a preferred service provider for the area and there is little to suggest that this has changed. Of course, what has changed is the level of crime in the area and it would seem that the temptation to “free ride” by either using a cheaper service or none at all is rather too strong for those among us who do not seem to understand the ethos of working as a community. It does not take too much intelligence to realise that if this trickle becomes a torrent, we will soon lose our two dedicated vehicles at night and it will be downhill from there. So we urge everyone to think strongly about the meaning of community spirit! In a safe neighbourhood we have something that is exceptional and beautiful in our country so please let us not destroy it!

This does of course assume that there is indeed no competitor that can offer better value and we are open to this possibility. It would however be a huge exercise to move to another provider so we would need to be absolutely sure of our facts in making this decision. We thus repeat the offer we have made several times: Should any company be willing to make a competitive proposal they would be most welcome to approach the committee and any CPNW members who would like to explore other options are welcome to do so and the committee will support such efforts.

So, in this time of Goodwill we ask everyone to remember and savour the wonderful benefits of being in a supportive community and we wish you all a great festive season and a safe and peaceful 2017!

The CPNW Committee.