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CRA Newsletter September 2003
Social cohesion demands a creed, or a code
of behaviour, or a prevailing sentiment...without something of the
kind, a community disintegrates, and becomes subject to a tyrant or
a foreign conqueror. Bertrand Russell BREAKING
NEWS CRA SECURITY The
work done by the CRA may not always be immediately apparent to
residents. You will know by now, however, that the CRAs strategy
has been to support the Parkview Police in any way we can within the
bounds of our financial and people resources. In this regard, an
important initiative has been under discussion for several months
between your Chairman, John Turpin, the Parkview Police
Superintendent Loubser - and the CPF Fran Haslam on how to
enhance security in the Craighall / Craighall Park suburbs. All acknowledge that effective policing involves
heightened police visibility rather than reaction to crimes.
Increased and constant police coverage, efficient apprehension,
increased management of undesirables including search and possible
arrest, and comprehensive feedback to residents is the ideal. This
ideal is not attainable by the police within their current budget
confines, which has to cover 21 suburbs. The
plan: -
The Parkview Police precinct will soon be divided into four areas,
one of which will be Craighall / Hurlingham and Craighall Park. This
will be done in two stages, i.e. on 1 October 2003 the precinct will
be divided into two sectors and then on 1 March 2004, into four
sectors. -
As one of the four sectors the CraigPark suburbs would purchase a car/van
(at an approximate cost of R125 000) and donate it to the Parkview
Police Station. -
This vehicle would be on duty 24 hours a day, every day
of the year for the next 4-5 years.
(This is in addition to the existing police coverage that we already
have.) The vehicle would be appropriately marked that it belonged to
the Craighall / Craighall Park and Hurlingham suburbs on an
exclusive basis. The funding of the vehicle would be made possible
in part by the CRA using funds accumulated from the members. In
addition there would be a contribution from Hurlingham based on a
pro-rata basis. -
The police would pay for all running costs, maintenance, the staffing of
the unit on a 24/7/12 basis and total vehicle insurance. The CPF
would sponsor a satellite tracking system for the vehicle. This
system will be managed by the police and the CRA to ensure
optimal coverage in the suburbs. -
A contract would be signed between the CRA and the Parkview Police
establishing the arrangement but most importantly there would be no
further financial commitment by the CRA apart from the purchase of
the vehicle. Negotiations
are about to begin to see if a car/van can be purchased at minimal
cost to the CRA - or, if we were particularly fortunate, donated to
us in whole or in part. It might well happen, however, that
residents would be approached to assist financially on a one-off
basis. Given that it is in all our interests to make our suburbs a
safer place for ourselves and our families (and consequently also
enhancing our property values) what can you do? We have several
suggestions! ·
Pay the annual CRA subscription at the beginning of each year ·
Help us increase our paid-up membership base by asking friends and
neighbours if they are members. ·
Make an additional one-off donation to the CRA for this purpose (R200+?). ·
If you have appropriate contacts, approach them on our behalf. The
CRA Executive considers this is a real opportunity for the residents
of our suburbs to come to the party to substantially improve
neighbourhood security. It
must be emphasised that this is not taking the place of private
security companies or existing policing - this has to do with
policing in the proper sense which provides continuous visibility
and the curtailment of crime before it happens. For
input, comments and suggestions contact either John Turpin - jrturpin@mweb.co.za,
Bruce Boden - or Margaret Stewart - rstewart@yebo.co.za.
In respect of financial matters - subscriptions & donations etc,
contact Lee Whitfield - fieldsta@iafrica.com.
For the record the CRA bank details (on our website too) are: Standard
Bank: Hyde Park Branch, Branch Code: 00660534, Account No: 200874977
(deposit slips/transfer notice should be faxed to 011 788-9587 with
your name, address, phone number and e-mail address - or email the
deposit details to Lee). And now a few brief updates, in view of the longer than normal entry above, as well as the fact that the Crier will be appearing in October. Town planning and development Another
busy month! Some old issues were finalised and some new issues
raised their heads and have been added to the list of other ongoing
matters. The
CRA has lodged an objection to a proposed change of use for the
office building in Riepen Park that borders Argyle Avenue. The
problem is not the proposed conversion of the building to
residential use, but the proposed increase in height of the building
by 5 metres. The
CRA has also lodged an objection to the proposed establishment of a
nursery and pre-primary school at 1 Athole Avenue. Residents in
close proximity to this property who also wish to object to
this application must do so before 30 September. Building
continues to be conducted in the two suburbs without the proper
approval of plans. The CRA is aware of two instances where the
Council issued stop orders during the past month. While the CRA
understands the frustration caused by the delay by the Council
in approving plans, owners are on their own when their building
activity is stopped by the building inspectors. The CRA understands
that the time needed to obtain approved plans is of the order of
three months currently. Please take this into consideration if you
intend to start building. Don't
forget - if you have any news, comments or suggestions contact Wendy
McAllister at wendym@creativecoms.co.za.
Thank you!
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