CRA Newsletter

July 2005

            I have been away in Canada for over a month on family business and on my return, found that the security situation has not improved.

While I can assure you that the Parkview Police have put additional focus on our three suburbs (Craighall Park, Craighall and Hurlingham) and they tell me that they are making inroads, it is vital that residents be especially vigilant when it comes to seeing what’s going on in your own street. 

As I have stated many times, the major area of concern to residents at the moment remains departing and returning to your own driveways. Some of the incidents that have taken place could have been avoided if residents had been more aware of what was going on in their street. Unfortunately this must become a daily discipline and if anything suspicious is seen by you or your family this should be reported immediately to the Parkview Police (486-5000). Just because you’re not sure whether there is a real danger to your property or family don’t feel that you shouldn’t contact the police as this is what they in fact require and ask us to do so that they can stop criminal activity before it takes place. It may be that you make a report and the police arrive and the criminal(s) have disappeared but that doesn’t mean that the police are wasting their time in that they can still reconnoitre the area around your street. I urge you to follow this discipline. 

            There was a very good turnout for the AGM which indicates a wide interest in the community concerning subjects that we need to tackle. We had visiting speakers in the form of Senior Superintendent Moodley of Parkview Police, Craig Pretorius who we have commissioned to put together a planning scheme that residents require and our Councillor Judy Stockill who is coming to the end of her term at the end of this year. The Chairman’s 2005 report can be seen on our website (www.cra.org.za) and the password (CRA123) to access the community forum.

3. Town Planning

            As discussed at the AGM we have invited Craig Pretorius of Urban Terrain to develop a document which will be taken through the appropriate departments in the City Council to set out the requirements and position of the residents of Craighall and Craighall Park. Concentration will be given to our requirements for sub-division. This project has been ratified by your executive committee and we will be having an open meeting for residents some time in the near future and we hope you will attend such an important meeting. Lee Whitfield who heads up our portfolio for Town Planning will be advising you of the date of this meeting. 

4. Environment

            Your Association continues to look at the possibility of adopting the 3 islands at the top of Jan Smuts Avenue and William Nichol. This area is an important entrance to our two suburbs and is already falling into disarray in terms of security, traffic hazard and an unkempt appearance which is hardly what we need in terms of introducing outsiders to our community. We will be supported by the Hyde Park Ratepayers Association as well as business who are closely associated with this area. The exercise is quite complicated in that we need the approval of 10 different apartments in the Metropolitan setup (water, parks, power, roads, etc). We are making steady progress with this project and we will keep you informed as we go along. 

Further environmental and health problems are being caused by a number of vacant stands in our suburbs which are full of rubbish and/or attract homeless people. The CRA is going to take a strong stand against this and will be publicly naming the owners who seem to have no concern for their neighbours or neighbourhood.

5. Communications

            We continue to provide information on our website and issue these monthly electronic letters and quarterly editions of the Crier to all members and residents in our community. Please remember to contact Wendy McAllister (011 325-7165) if there is anything you feel we should be adding to our communication efforts. 

6. CRA Resources – time to be pro-active!

            The Chairman has made a plea for anyone who feels they can assist in the Town Planning, Environment, Traffic and Secretarial portfolios. We are very light in these portfolios in relation to current requirements and anyone who feels that they can contribute should phone Lee Whitfield (011 788 9086) - Town Planning, Paulette Malcolm (011 787 3680) – Environment, John Turpin (011 325 4547) for Traffic and Secretarial. 

If it’s at all possible please give us some of your time as we are up against several issues where we need assistance – so help us help you.