OH WATCH

Dear Good Resident of Oranjezicht and Higgovale

Unusually good run for our area

OH Watch doesn’t want to be too optimistic, but we seem to be having an unusually good run…….with the number of residential break-ins down since October last year. In terms of crime, February 2013 thus far is comparatively peaceful with fewer incidents than usual.

That said, it doesn’t mean that it was crime free with residential break-ins reported in Montrose, Moray Place, Jagersfontein, Breda, Myrtle, Bridle, Buitenkant, Vriende and Culver and several theft out of motor vehicles reported in Breda, Buxton, Hof, Rosemead. Invermark, Hilton, Upper Orange, Rosemount, Sophia, Forest, Leewenhof, Glencoe, Schoonder, Rayden and Jagersfontein Lane.
There was also a robbery in Culver Street and business break-in in Kloof Street.

Long may this relatively quiet period continue.

Vehicle remote jammers

Please be aware and careful of vehicle remote jammers operating in our area.

Here is a specific example of how remote jamming can impact you:

A woman went for a walk in De Waal Park on Friday afternoon 08 February 2013. She parked her car nearby. The time was 4:30pm and when she returned to her vehicle at 5:15 her laptop and other possessions were gone and the car was unlocked. We believe she was a victim of the remote jamming syndicate who are now possibly operating in the residential areas, as well as the CBD.
We ask that you please get into the habit of confirming that your car is locked - either through the lights flashing or hearing the physical door lock and testing to see that it is locked. The common strategy is that the suspects hideout in the shadows or sit in a nearby parked car and jam your vehicle lock. Remember the jammer needs to be within in a close range, typically 10 metres from your car. WO SM Langenhoven is investigating the case above and can be contacted on phone number: 021-467 8000 if you have experienced anything similar. Typically, there will be no sign of forced entry. The LPR camera system, provided images of the suspects heading down Upper Orange Street with the laptop.

On 16 February between 11.30pm and early the next morning, a car belonging to a client at a guest house in Forest Road, was broken into. There was no visible sign of a break-in. Stolen was the guest’s credit card and it was used at 05.30am to the value of R1000.00 at My Buddies, and an attempt was made to withdraw R47.000.00 again at 05.30am   The fraud division of the bank Bank SMS’d  the client (who was sleeping and did not respond until he got up later). There was no sign of forced entry and this seems like another remote jamming incident.

LPR proving its worth and more

In the past month the LPR system with all but one of the cameras installed and working, sent out numerous alerts for vehicles that are either wanted by SAPS or have been identified as suspicious by neighbourhood watches and armed response companies throughout Cape Town.

 3 recent successes to name but a few:

Toyota bakkie stopped by SAPS after an alert last week in Higgovale - they found no stolen goods but the vehicle plates were cloned and driver had a false license plate - he was subsequently arrested.
The overview cameras positively identified remote jamming suspects from De Waal Park – As per the story above (we have not included the photos). The camera shot observed the suspects with the stolen laptop heading down Upper Orange Street.
The Kloof Street LPR camera alerted the neighbourhood watch radio network to a vehicle used by three known bag snatchers who had been operating in Kloof Street for months without being caught. A number of members and response operatives placed themselves strategically and watched the suspects inside an eatery for almost an hour and a half. Eventually the female suspect left that venue and went into a restaurant in Park Road to use the bathroom. A search revealed that she had dumped credit cards, a cellphone and other items in the bin. She and her male partners were arrested; SAPS reported that one of them has a history of crime and a court case is pending.

If you are keen to follow the incidents more closely, then please ask to join the OH Watch Facebook site http://www.facebook.com/groups/111868592175718/ and also use this vehicle to report any suspicious vehicles to OH Watch.

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:

Belmont
Breda Street
Buitenkant
Higgo
Kensington Crescent
Marmion

OH Watch AGM – Calling for new Executive Committee Members

OH Watch will host its AGM on Thursday 11 April at 19h00 at St Cyprians School.

Many members of the OH Watch Executive Committee have been in place for the last 4 years working on your behalf. OH Watch would be most pleased if additional members of the community were willing to serve on the neighbourhood watch committee. We have lost some members due to them moving out of the area and this has put strain on existing members. We are calling for residents to now step forward. Particularly, we need to fill the following portfolios: Managing Patrollers, Liaison with SAPS, Communications and Events. Everyone that currently serves on the OH Watch Exco is busy – we all have full time jobs - but the safety of our area is a priority and we must make the time, so please consider this request seriously. If you are ready to assist, please email info@ohwatch.co.za for more details and a discussion with the Chair.

OH Watch 2013 Subs

We rely on the goodwill of residents to fund our efforts. Our subscription fee of R200 per annum is moderate, compared to other neighbourhood watches. If everybody does their bit, and pays their way, it will help us significantly in achieving our goals for the year.

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

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.

Yours in Safety

Your OH Watch Exco