OH WATCH

Dear Good Resident of Oranjezicht and Higgovale

October highest crime month of the year – please be vigilant

We predicted that October might be a high crime month, based on our experience last year. So far this month, we have indeed seen increased criminal activity, and so urge residents to remain vigilant. Housebreakings are mainly occurring during the day. Roseberry Avenue was hit twice this month. In one incident last Friday night at 19h40, all three gates to a home were smashed, including a glass front door. Five black guys accosted the house-keeper and threatened him. They went through the house, but the alarm went off and the suspects fled without taking anything. The neighbour opposite heard her door bell ring a few minutes earlier and the guys said they were looking for a particular number in the street. She spotted a white Mercedes. OH Watch urges residents to report this kind of suspicious behaviour immediately as it may well prevent a crime from occurring. Often suspects ring door bells to check if the occupants are home and if the bell is answered, they simply say they are looking for a particular address.

Recently the City Bowl has been hit by a new scourge. The removal of wrought iron broekie lace gates and fences from Victorian houses. In many cases, the gates can be removed by simply lifting them. But, good news. The suspect was apprehended by patrollers in the Tamboerskloof area earlier this week. When arrested it was discovered that he had an angle grinder in his car. The brazen approach taken is quite astonishing. Removing fences and gates in broad daylight. Passers-by would have assumed that it was just another renovation taking place. Just goes to show that we should never take anything at face value, when it comes to people who appear to be legitimate workmen.

The suspect was driving a car with the registration CY 78223. It may well jog your memory, as it is possible that this vehicle could be linked to other incidents of crime.

When it comes to active policing, we have learnt that SAPS is under significant pressure in terms of vehicles and manpower. We are dramatically under-policed currently, and we are unsure about for how long this might continue. All the more reason to become a patroller if you have the time. We need more eyes and ears on the streets.
Volunteer by emailing patrols@ohwatch.co.za.

Bicycles are still being targeted, so keep them hidden from view from the street, and in a secure place.

License Plate Recognition (LPR) Camera Installation

We are pleased to report that 5 of the 11 LPR cameras are up and streaming footage. The backend server has been installed and the Visec software is running. The Installation for the other cameras will proceed next. All the Level 1 Vehicles – those wanted in connection with a particular crime are loaded. Additionally, we have loaded level 2 and 3 vehicles, which are suspected to be involved in crime or where drivers are acting suspiciously.

Summary for the last week:

16 alerts sent out to patrollers; one level 1 alert
2 cars stopped and searched by SAPS
2 vehicles identified from housebreakings and given to SAPS
6 new suspect vehicles identified and loaded onto system

Please take specific note of the White Mazda 323 Registration No BVN 423 EC. Patrollers reported the occupants tampering with cars at 5:30am yesterday morning in Breda Street and they chased it @ 100km/hour down Upper Orange, but it got away. The LPR logs show the vehicle moving in and out of Breda and Kloof Street at early mornings(5am) and late nights(11pm) and clearly up to no good

Also be on the look out for a Blue Toyota Tazz,registration FWH 858 EC - please note the occupants were seen at Paddys Garage In Buitenkant Street and were carrying an AK47 so do not engage.

Our thanks to all the patrollers checking the LPR alerts and assisting SAPS and to the over 150 households who have made financial contributions the cameras. Having added in the funds raised from our Heritage Day activities, the total raised is now over R600k thus far. We still have R80k to raise, and it all adds up, so if you have not contributed it is not too late. See bank details at end.

Faulty streetlights reported to the City

Please report faulty streetlights as soon as you see them not working. You can do this via email to FaultReporting.Centre@capetown.gov.za and the City will provide you with a reference no. Please inform OH Watch on info@ohwatch.co.za

OH Watch reported the following streetlights during the last two weeks.

Buxton - 1004362647
Chesterfield – 1004362649
Chesterfield – 1004348835
Forrest – 1004348837
Flower – 1004348802
Glen Crescent – whole street 1004370965
Glen Ave – whole street 1004370966
Hiddingh – 1004348718
Hof Street – 1004256613
Hof – 1004348651
Higgo - 1004256617
Jagersfontein - 1004348713
Kensington Crescent – whole street 1004370968
Kloof – 1004348679
Krynauw - 1004348678
Marmion – 1004348808
Molteno - 1004362648
Roseberry – 1004362650
Rosemead – whole street 1004370967
Serpentine – 1004348807
Upper Buitenkant – 1004348756
Vriende – 1004348715

Oranjezicht City Farm (OZCF) Gets Underway

The OZCF permit application had been approved by Heritage Western Cape, and that means that all the official ducks are in a row for the start of farming in our area. Please like the Oranjezicht City Farm Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/OZCFarm and sign up to receive updates on www.ozcf.co.za. OH Watch is very excited about this development and looks forward to the Harvest Festival in March 2013.

OH Watch Annual Subs now due for 2013

Many thanks to those of you who have paid your R200 annual membership fee during 2012 subs. You can already pay your 2013 subs and if you haven’t paid your 2012 subscription, its also not too late.

Our banking details are:

Bank: First National Bank
Branch: Gardens
Branch code: 201511
Account number: 62212483680
Name of account: OH Watch
Ref: Surname/Subs/Year

As always, we welcome constructive criticism. Contact us with any suggestions you might have.

Check the OH Watch website (www.ohwatch.co.za) for safety tips to keep your mind at rest and others at bay and please sign up for our Facebook Page if you want to get more regular updates. http://www.facebook.com/groups/111868592175718