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Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along. ~ Hugh Allen
AGM report back
Thank you to all residents who attended the 56th AGM of the CRA. The Chairman's report is on the CRA web site. Our thanks, too, to our guest speaker, financial journalist and fellow resident, Bruce Whitfield. After quoting from the CEO of Old Mutual, Bruce then discarded the book of CEO case histories and suggested that we did the same when it came to dealing with the credit crunch!
We were also appreciative to have strong representation from SAPS Parkview - Senior Supt Moodley, Supt Ryan and Cpt Knoetze. Sup Moodley gave a brief analysis of crime in our area over the past year. For your safety and protection of your property, we urge you to read his comments under "Security" below.
CRA exec members available for re-election were duly elected. Resident Hugh Page came forward. Some portfolios are being reorganised, which process should be finalised at the CRA exec meeting on 3 June (we meet on the first Wednesday of each month). As soon as we have clarity we will send out a special notice and update the portfolio information on the CRA web site.
Town Planning
A warning to property buyers... in the case of subdivisions and sectional titles, it is imperative that you check that all the correct procedures have been followed. Any sub-division under 800 sq m is not permitted in terms of the Precinct Plan for our area. Sectional title units are limited to certain parts of the suburbs, as may be seen on the Precinct Plan - most are confined to areas close to what the city describes as "major transport nodes" - and the CRA is not prepared to condone any deviation.
Crime and security
An extract follows from Sup Moodley's analysis. The fact is that wherever there is construction work, it invariably leads to an increase in crime. Sup Moodley confirms that there are currently 70 construction sites in our suburbs, leading to some additional 3 500 people in the suburb who do not live here. The result is that there has been a 31% increase in house break-ins in the past year.
(Note: the term ‘break-in’ is used when premises are unoccupied. A ‘robbery’ is an incident where the premises are occupied, whatever the means used to subdue the occupants.)
If you live near a construction site, be aware that your movements are very likely being observed so you are strongly advised to be extra vigilant. Check out our web site for recommendations on making your property more difficult to be broken into.
Sup Moodley stated that the crime rate was down. The figures below are only for Craighall and Craighall Park.
Between May 2007 and April 2009, robberies (businesses and homes) decreased by 17%. Hijacking is slightly up (from 10 to 14) but theft of or from motor vehicles has decreased.
Streets currently experiencing more incidents:
corner Alexandra/ Waterfall & Jan Smuts Avenues
corner of Jan Smuts and Buckingham Avenues
Hamilton Avenue
Lancaster Avenue
Rutland Avenue
Most incidents occur between 07.15 am to 12.00 (house break-ins) and between midnight - 04.00. Incident levels increase noticeably during the week - Saturday has the highest level:
Mondays - 23, Tuesdays – 36; Wednesdays – 36; Thursdays – 44; Fridays – 45; Saturdays - 70; Sundays - 44.
URGENT advice: keep a panic button in your bathroom as robbers often lock people up in that room.
The CRA has arranged a special meeting with Sup Moodley and if we have any more information to give you, we'll be in touch. (Another reason to have the email address of as many residents as possible - please, if your neighbour/friends don't get the regular CRA newsletter, ask them to contact Wendy McAllister asap.)
CSS report back on PSS
They are still incidents of vehicle gates being forced open.
Suspicious vehicles
Silver Golf GTi , YFG 055 GP
Grey Polo (1.4 ?) , FXL 796 GP
Black VW Golf XPP 213 GP
Silver Nissan Murano VVC 817 GP - Involved in driveway robberies
Silver Opel Corsa - RHL 819 GP - Involved in home robberies
Silver Audi A4 - CY 265 113 - Involved in car hijackings
(Note the type of vehicle! Criminals no longer use old damaged cars.)
Crime incidents that we know of
- 30 April, 04:30. Alexandra Ave: garage broken in to, items stolen from car.
- 30 April, 04.10, Beaufort Ave: intruders derailed gate and entered house. Victim pushed into bathroom and robbed of jewelry and cell phone.
- 3 May, Marlborough Ave: Saddles stolen from River Rangers stables during the night - access gained by cutting the fence
- 9 May, 12h30, Buckingham Avenue: house break-in. CSS searched area and found suspect.
- 9 May, 16:50, Buckingham Ave: intruder spotted who then fled. Later spotted in Chandler Ave, identified, and arrested for trespassing.
- 12 May, 03:00, Waterfall Ave: person seen jumping over complex fence - arrested by CSS and handed over to the Police.
- 24 May, 18:00, Roxburghe Ave: break-in, car and goods stolen, car later recovered.
CSS is also introducing the cell phone based Home 911 panic button system, initially on a trial basis for PSS subscribers. Most subscribers should have received an information email: CSS arranged for there to be an "opt out" option but the CRA has asked them to relook at how they will do this. For information email home911@csstactical.co.za or go to www.csstactical.co.za
- Community initiatives and dates to diarise
Domestic Watch: Friday 29 May, 12-13:00, Wesleyan Church, Norfolk Ave, CHP, topic “How to pass on information anonymously without putting your life in jeopardy." Remember - anyone who brings a neighbour or friend will receive a R50.00 Nando’s Gift Voucher. Contact Sue Harris for information.
- Craighall River Market: every second Saturday 08:30 - 13:00 - next one - 6 June - in Marlborough Ave, CHP next to Colourful Splendour Nursery.
- Support our local primary school - Craighall Primary has been chosen as one of 10 schools in Gauteng to participate in the Mondi Recycling Magazine Campaign. Every magazine and glossy leaflet that you can drop off at the School could mean that the school will win the R10 000 a month prize for six months. Between 07:30 and 17:30 weekdays, just go to the lower gate and the security guard will show you in which bin to place your mags. The school is planning to provide bins near the gate where mags can be dropped off after hours.
- Support the Avril Elizabeth Children's Home. Several artists (and some from CHP and CP) are participating in an exhibition to raise funds for the Home - Friday 29 May 17:00 to 22:00, Saturday 30 May 09:00 to 13:00 at Old Parktonian Sports Club, 1 Garden Road, Bordeaux. Further information available from Colourit Studio on 011 326 3663.
- Booksale at Zoo Lake, Sunday 31 May,10:00-15:00. All proceeds go towards the Information/Security Centre at Zoo Lake. For info: Mapule 011 646 1976 or Penelope 084 595 9000 / email zoolakeinfo@jhbcityparks.com.
Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness. ~James Thurber
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