OH WATCH

Dear Good Resident of Oranjezicht and Higgovale

As our year draws to a close, it is appropriate to look back and assess how we are doing when it comes to fighting crime, and making our neighbourhood the best place to live in Cape Town. Happily, we are enjoying a relatively quiet period crime-wise, after a pretty horrendous October and November. Remain vigilant, and report any suspicious behaviour to security providers

Residential break-ins for the last 3 weeks

Beulah Terrace 17 November 06h47
Rosebank Place 19 November 10:20 - 01:00
Breda Street 21 November 09:25
Rustic Road 30 November 04:24
Buxton 30 November 6pm to 12pm
Moray Place 01 December 22h13
Higgo Crescent 02 December 6am to 6pm

Theft out of Motor vehicles continue to be a concern as does theft of bicycles from garages. Please secure your garage.

Financial support – many thanks

This year has seen an encouraging upswing in financial support from residents, especially for the License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras, where we managed to raise R630k from 164 residents. Our database of registered members continues to grow (almost 900), enabling us to communicate more effectively with residents. In addition, radio sales have increased steadily, which adds significantly to our ability to stay in touch, and fight crime on an ongoing basis.

Our major fund-raising event apart from the LPR cameras, the Heritage Day Festival, held in Homestead Park, was a huge success. The biggest turn-out of residents ever (almost 3 000) resulted in us breaking all previous records. We are already planning next year’s event, and hope it will continue to grow in popularity. Not only does it help with fund raising, but it plays a large part in creating a sense of community for all of us.

We intend to keep on fighting on all fronts. Not only on the crime front, but also in ensuring our neighbourhood is clean, peaceful, and well maintained. Many of our street lights have been repainted, and we enjoy a positive relationship with the City of Cape Town, when it comes to repairing potholes, and keeping our roads well maintained. Our efforts in this regard will continue.

Many thanks to those who have paid their membership fees. If you haven’t paid your annual R200 subscription for 2012, its not too late and 2013 subs are now due. Our banking details are:

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

Licence Plate Recognition Cameras (LPR) - Call for Volunteer Responders

Your neighbourhood needs you. If you are able to assist with responding to LPR SMS alerts, please let us know - email info@ohwatch.co.za if you want to attend a briefing which will take no longer than an hour and you will see the LPR system in action. The balance of the LPR cameras (Hof, Molteno, Upper Orange and Sidmouth) are being installed and already there are signs of early successes. The drain cover thieves were caught by DPV Watch (Devilspeak Vredehoek) and the suspects arrested. They were in a vehicle with reg no CY 282 447.

When we looked up the number plate of the vehicle involved in the thefts, we could see the history of the vehicle in our area – having accessed at least 8 times in the past couple of months.



Fire on lower slopes of Table Mountain

Thanks to all the fire-fighters and helicopter pilots who helped extinguish the fire that broke out early in the morning of 05 December, causing residents of Bridle and Rugby Roads to evacuate their homes. In addition to residents providing refreshments, OH Watch delivered goodies to the helicopter base in Newlands and received the following response:

“I am not sure who specifically to thank but please extend a massive thank you to those members who provided food and refreshments for the Volunteer Wildfire Services firefighters. It was a challenging fire and support from the community when you are tired, hungry and dehydrated is very much appreciated.”
Ryan Heydenrych – VWS Newlands Operations Manager

Gardens Rugby Club – Top of Upper Orange

This property, at the top of Upper Orange Street belongs to the Western Province Rugby Union (WPRU). The front fence is in bad state of repair and needs to be replaced.
The Cape Tech leases the grounds out to the Gardens Rugby Club. OH Watch has met with the Rugby Club who are due to renew their lease. They have advised the WPRU that the fence must be repaired and have provided a copy of the complaint from OH Watch so as to further their cause. Residents of Lincoln Road have also complained as it has been a real eye sore. OH has also started a petition. We hope to have a solution early next Year.

Lane Closure Sir George and Rosemount

Sir George Grey is a busy street in terms of crime as the lane provides an easy escape route. Additionally, it provides a good escape route from Belvedere, Belmont and Upper Orange.
The residents have signed a petition to have this lane closed because of crime and because vagrants use the area to sleep and for their ablutions. OH Watch is in discussion with the City to have the lane closed. We have cleared the area and are erecting fencing.

Montrose Speed Humps

Residents have requested speed bumps in Montrose Avenue. They have signed a petition and a formal application has been lodged with the City.

Hockey Field below Belvedere Street (between Upper Orange and Prince)

The fence has been damaged by vagrants and is due to be repaired by Good Hope Seminary School who lease it out to St Cyprians. The existing fence is going to be repaired and OH Watch will assist.

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 copy OH Watch on info@ohwatch.co.za

The following streetlights were reported during the last period:

Breda Street
Moray Place
Molteno Road, near Glencoe Road cross street.
Glen Crescent
Alley that runs between Kensington Crescent and Glen Crescent

Straatwerk Hampers

250 food hampers were packed for Straatwerk Christmas Party. OH Watch thanks Straatwerk for all the great work they do in our area.

Christmas donations

The City has sent out a media release reminding residents that their staff members are not permitted to solicit donations for Christmas. The reason is simple - scamsters make a good living posing as council workers over the season. You are of course most welcome to offer a donation to the genuine workers who you know and appreciate.

Lost and found

A resident found pieces of photographic equipment that they would like to return to the rightful owner.
House keys were found by the ADT Patrol vehicle

Please email info@ohwatch.co.za.

Door to door collection scam

Residents report a young woman asking for support for a WP volleyball tour to New Zealand. She claimed to live in Rugby Rd with her aunt and uncle. She had a form, with blocks of stipulated amounts. There was a half-hearted stamp (that couldn’t be made out). The name and phone number of her “coach” was on the form. She had a man with her who drove a car. Unfortunately residents didn’t get the number plate. The WP volleyball association know nothing about it. Residents are asked to be vigilant as these people could be casing the home.

Thanks to all the active patrollers and to SAPS

OH Watch thanks those members of OH Watch, TBK Watch and DPV Watch who have been active throughout the year patrolling the area to ensure the community’s safety. We could not do what we do without your support. We also thank SAPS, especially our Sector Managers, Capt Joggie Jansen and Constable Gerida Knight, and their support staff, Constable Bussey.

OH Watch Safety Tips

Holiday time will soon be upon us. Here are some tips.

If you are going on holiday

Be discreet: Don’t leave a message on your voicemail that says you’re not at home. Stop any daily deliveries over that time – such as newspaper deliveries. Ask a neighbour or friend to collect your post regularly. Do not leave a note for family, or leave keys in a hiding place, outside your house. Put your telephone volume on low so it cannot be heard ringing without being answered. Update your keyholders details with your armed response company for the time you are away, and leave a contact number so they can get hold of you in case of an emergency.

If you are staying at home

Don’t leave tools lying around your garden as impulse burglars could use them to break into your home. Remove shrubs or trees that could conceal a burglar trying to break into your home, or that block outside detector beams. Make sure outside furniture is not blocking outside detector beams. Make sure all household members and employees know exactly who is allowed access to the premises and that they are very firm in refusing access to anyone else. Keep your windows and doors locked in areas of your home that are not being used. Arm your alarm system when you are at home, especially overnight. When buying new appliances, e.g. television or computer, crush and conceal the boxes in your rubbish. If you have guard dogs, don’t lock them away when workers are on your premises. Allow them to see your dogs and know that they are potentially vicious and a threat. Report any suspicious persons or behaviour to the police.

And finally

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

Check the OH Watch website (www.ohwatch.co.za) 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

Please be vigilant this holiday season, but find time to chill a bit.