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In this issue
>> We need more email addresses!
>> PSS with CSS Tactical - 4th vehicle coming!
>> Some problems resolved
>> Town planning and B&B applications
>> River news - and rocks
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Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. Vince Lombardi
2010 SUBS NOW DUE!
One small way of showing your commitment to our community is to pay your annual CRA membership fee. The group effort by CRA exec members and others who have helped in various ways really does make a difference to our area. A vibrant residents’ association has many advantages, not the least being adding value to the area and, concomitantly, to your property values.
All subs paid from November 2009 onwards will be considered as payment for 2010 – at R250 for the year (less for pensioners and sectional title owners) this still remains exceptional value, be you a resident or business in the area. It’s so easy – just click here, do it now and then sit back and chill!
We’ve heard that some residents believe that by receiving this newsletter, they have paid membership subs. It’s true that some years ago the newsletter was sent only to paid-up members but we decided that a community that was better informed was stronger and safer so we now send it to over 1200 email addresses.
However, that still doesn’t represent more than 50% of our community - if the CRA had the EMAILaddresses AND CELLPHONE NUMBERS OF ALL RESIDENTS IN THE SUBURBS OF CRAIGHALL AND CRAIGHALL PARK, we could do even more, particularly in the case of crime alerts or community notices such as a missing pet. Please help us to add to our email list – if your neighbour doesn’t get this, just ask them to email Wendy McAllister or complete the online 'Update your details' form.
* Another advantage of being a member - the community ads. All businesses paying subs will be guaranteed, on request, at least one ad entry. In addition, on the “subs paid” page on the web site, businesses will be marked in bold.
Some recent successes
- The fourth CSS patrol vehicle is on its way to Craighall Park – thank you to everyone who has joined the CRA’s PSS scheme. Next goal – cameras!
- The brothel in Portland Ave was raided after SAPS obtained a search warrant – the tenant, girls and boudoir accoutrements will vacate the premises at the end of this month, we’re told.
- The long derelict property at 42 Hamilton, which for over 6 years has been everything from a criminal hide-out to a squatter camp, was also raided. It has now been sold and is being renovated.
- The vagrants on vacant properties in the vicinity of Burnside/Argyle and Alexandra Aves have been moved and the stream is being cleaned up. Thanks to City Health officials who assisted.
- In conjunction with neighbouring RAs, there have been several sweeps along the Braamfontein Spruit - in one sweep alone 19 arrests were made.
- We’ve managed to get a small slice of the JRA pie and a fair number of trenches and potholes have been dealt with, as well as painting of road markings.
Security and crime update
The security team advises residents to take extra care at this time of year. Have you done any of the following, for a start?
- Engage with your neighbours, get involved with your resident's association. Security affects everyone.
- Exchange numbers and agree to an emergency protocol. Know how to reach your neighbours if there is a break-in, fire, if an alarm goes off or should you notice something suspicious on their property.
- Know what is normal activity around your house and what is not. Have a sound plan in place what to do in order to alert CSS Tactical.
- Have you tested your alarm system recently? Make sure you do this if you’re going away.
If you’re still sitting on the fence and haven’t yet signed up for the Public Security Scheme, NOW is the time to do so. Feedback on the efficiency and effectiveness of CSS Tactical continues to be extremely positive. One report back we received was from a Parkhurst resident who, after being robbed, followed the get-away car to Craighall Park. A CSS vehicle stopped to assist him and the stolen goods were retrieved. The resident wrote, “I was very impressed with the way the CSS guys dealt with the situation, they were professional and showed an interest in the outcomes, I wish CSS was also in Parkhurst! You guys are doing things right and are way ahead of us.”
CSS, in conjunction with SAPS, has a Social Crime Prevention initiative for homeless and abandoned children – if you see an unaccompanied minor in the area and believe that he/she may need help, contact CSS immediately.
While armed response remains the choice of each individual property owner, CSS has asked us to let residents know of their current special offer, ie anyone who already subscribes to the PSS scheme is eligible to sign up with CSS for armed response and the first 3 months will be free. NOTE: the last newsletter gave the incorrect number for CSS – it is 0861 911 119.
Crime incidents that we know of
- Douglas Ave, 15/10, 20:30 – driveway robbery.
- Hamilton Ave, 17/10, 16:00 – attempted break in, nothing stolen.
- Talbragar Ave, 18/10, 22:00 – robbery (armed with a knife).
- Lancaster Ave, 27/10, 17:30 - McDonalds held up.
- Rutland Ave, 23/10, 20:54 – armed robbery, entered as gate was opening.
- Waterfall Ave, 27/10, 19:55 – armed robbery (access gained over rear perimeter wall).
- Jan Smuts Ave, 11/11, 18:15 – Colony Liquor store - allegedly three police officers, driving a police van from Morningside, held up staff and made off with an unsubstantiated amount of money.
- Clarence Ave, 11/11 - a tragedy: a father killed his son and tried to commit suicide but was discovered before he succeeded in doing so.
Town Planning
The CRA sets store by the Precinct Plan for our area as it is intended as a blue print for controlled development in our suburbs. The City Council, however, does not always take it into consideration. The Parkhurst Village Association has gone to court with a view to insist that the Council upholds such plans, which express the majority view of residents in an area. The CRA has made a contribution to the PVA as we think this is a serious issue.
In another important legal matter, the Appeal Court has ruled that developers may no longer by-pass local authorities and go to Province to seek approval for a development. This practice has in the past led to a number of unwanted decisions, so this is good news.
With 2010 looming, there has been in our area a number of applications for rezoning stands for B&B rights. If further applications are received, the CRA will consider each case on its merits but as there are already a fair number in our area, we reserve the right to object to an application. And a note from our Ward Councillor – rezoning will only be given if the owner resides on the property. If you are aware of any contraventions of this regulation, contact Roly Meyer or Bianca de Roland Phillips.
If you use Bompas Road, you may be concerned that apparently planning permission has been given for a 4-storey, 2-storey basement parking, office block on the corner of Bompas & Northumberland, with access from Bompas. The CRA’s Peter Heritage has taken up the matter with the JRA.
Environment and Community Affairs
An interesting snippet – did you know that the granite rocks over which the Braamfontein Spruit flows (the waterfall area) are around 3000 million years old? The CRA made enquiries re the feasibility of applying for World heritage status but it is unlikely that all criteria would be met. We hope to explore other avenues to try and get special status for the area.
The CRA’s Karen Hoffa is working with City Parks to improve the Spruit area, as additional support seems to be forthcoming with 2010 around the corner.
NB: The end-of-year Domestic Watch awards party is on THURSDAY 26 November – meet at the Wesleyan Church at 09:30. Contact Sue Harris for information. We''ll inform you when the first meeting will be next year.
Carols by Candlelight - Zoo Lake, 25 November, 18:00 for 18:30.
CRA Community adverts
Thank you to these advertisers who have paid their subs for 2009/10. If you are a member of the CRA just email Wendy to place an ad.
· Lancaster Pharmacy – your local pharmacist who cares. Open Mon-Fri 08:30-18:00; Saturdays 08:30-13:00; Sundays/public holidays 09:00-13:00. We deliver – and we also have a clinic, open Mon & Fri 13:00 -17:00, Wednes 08:30-13:00. Sr Laurie Campbell will eg take blood pressure, weigh your baby – and do house calls. Tel: 011 880 1196.
· Dr Aharon M Segal, clinical psychologist, will be facilitating small discussion groups limited to 8 participants who have experienced emotionally traumatic encounters with varying degrees of crime. It has been found that sharing these views in a therapeutic environment with others with similar experiences provides a measure of relief and accelerates coping on the road to recovery. Phone 083 378 1197.
· Going away between 11-22 December? I am house-sitting in CHP and available to assist other residents, from feeding animals, to putting on lights and checking mail - you name it. The minimum daily rate is R100 per home for basic services; rate negotiable for more complex tasks. Contact Freddy 082 929 2464 or email fjacquire@vodamail.co.za. References available.
· Social tennis close to home - Craighall Tennis Club, St Albans Avenue. Call Mike at 083 228 1693
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