Somerset West Community Police Forum

9th May, 2012

A letter forwarded to the SAPS about how the SAPS handled the riots earlier this week. The letter (in italics) is attached to the end of this article.

Somerset West SAPS station Commander, Colonel Mary Ann Williams, has issued this reply:

It's amazing how 'one person' can shift a political problem and put the blame back onto the Police.  On Wednesday morning at about 3am, a group of about 25 people gathered at the circle in Naawlands Road, Sir Lowry's Pass, burning tyres and singing songs. Police were present and monitored the situation, that was clearly under control.

This group then dispersed and moved into the general area to get people to join them. At around 6am, a group of about 100 protestors joined them. More members of the SAPS, Somerset West as well as members of the Metro Police and traffic officials were deployed.

4th May, 2012

A common misconception about Neighbourhood Watch is that you have to become a patroller – not so – the Neighbourhood Watch members are the eyes and ears of the community, where cyclists, walkers and joggers are all part of the group. Even people who don't go out on the streets can be observant from their homes.

When you are a member, you will receive training and a manual about what to do, who to contact and what to look out for. You will receive feedback from your group in the form of a weekly newsletter, detailing what has been going on in your area.

Road patrols are carried out in pairs and are totally non confrontational. Patrollers are given a radio (as well as training) so that they can call for help and backup from HCW and SAPS should the need arise.

The Somerset West Neighbourhood Watch needs to strengthen their membership. In the last couple of years, the Neighbourhood Watch groups have sprung up all around town and presently there are 16 community groups. Men and women from all over the town are doing their bit for the good of society, and these people have done a fantastic job – and crime levels have dropped dramatically.

We would like you to join, so why not give it a try. You can click here to send a mail to the CPF Secretary (secretary at somersetwestcpf dot org dot za) requesting details of a Neighbourhood Watch in your vicinity.

PS. The more eyes and ears that we have, the safer we will be.
 

24th April, 2012

Here is an easy to use pictorial look at our crime stats

24th April, 2012.

At the CPF public meeting last Tuesday, members of the NHW were presented with high visibility jackets by Charl Viljoen from the City of Cape Town. These NHW members underwent intensive training for a day, to equip them with special skills.

19th April, 2012

There has been a spate of dogs going missing in these areas and we believe that some of them have been stolen by the people who sell compost in the area, in other cases the dogs were stolen by youths who scout the area for valuable dogs and take them into the informal settlements in and around your area. There have been two cases already where people have successfully retrieved their dogs from Nomzamo.

Dogs that are in danger of being stolen: Pit Bulls, Staffies, Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds and lately a whole lot of Huskies have been reported stolen as well. Please make sure that your dogs are safely secured in your yard or home if you have to leave them alone. These people don't just steal puppies, they steal even mature dogs so please make sure that your dog can preferably not be seen by from any walkways or roads. These people are unscrupulous in their methods to obtain a dog that they want. They break into houses, cut holes in gates, yank the dogs over 6 meter walls, cut off bolts and locks - you need to do whatever you can to keep your own dog safe.

13th April, 2012

It is not a crime to be living on the streets, and it is not a crime to beg; but people living on the streets lead a damaging, undignified lifestyle. Accordingly we have two choices: we can either facilitate this life style by handing out nothing more than food, blankets and money, or we can do the hard work needed to reintegrate people living on the streets into their communities of origin with the necessary skills to stay off the streets.
People living on the streets are also often the perpetrators of by-law infringements which negatively affect the rights of other residents, and sometimes also commit crime. The fact is that the challenge of working with people living on the streets has been successfully dealt with around the world and in other parts of Cape Town, and if we want to have what other places have, we have to do what they have done.

11th April, 2012

Briza Watch did a foot Patrol this evening.  They were accompanied by two SAPS members. Foot patrols enable you to cover less ground, but allow you to see more detail. You also get good exercise!

Being a member of the Neighbourhood Watch gives you a sense of community. You get to know other members in your area who are also interested in keeping crime down.  In Somerset West, the neighbourhood watches have been the eyes and ears of the community and continue to do a fantastic job.

If you would like to become a neighbourhood watch member in your area click here to ask for details.

6th April, 2012.

After several postponements, sentencing was finally handed down in a trial which has dragged on in the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court since April 2010. The case involved the gang-related abduction and torture of an Arab Gelding Bukshi, which belonged to the Myburgh family. Bukshi did not survive his injuries.

Magistrate R. Wathen found Desling Snyman (19), William (Vleisie) Williams (20) and a juvenile, who was 13 years old at the time, guilty on charges of stock theft and animal cruelty.

23 March, 2012

Road traffic laws do not differentiate between the driver of a car, nor a cyclist. In the eyes of the law, they are equal; each with a set of rights and responsibilities. A bicycle is considered a vehicle, under South African law. Too often cyclists are observed ignoring traffic lights and “jumping” red robots. Cyclists are breaking the law and will be liable for a fine if they are observed ignoring traffic lights.

There are several ways to stay safe on the roads: