CRIME SCENE

The good news is that the crime stats for the last month or so – are down.  This is good news but crime is cyclical and we can expect it to change at any moment.  

What is interesting is that the crimes pestering us over the last few months have been mainly burglaries, vehicle thefts and thefts out of vehicles.  Most of these are unpredictable as to where they will occur or when. 

Regarding car thefts and thefts out of vehicles, we can say that unguarded vehicles left on the pavement are an invitation to criminals to pay closer interest. 

The biggest drawback to these types of crime is that they cannot be predicted and are over in seconds.  This means we cannot get there in time to arrest the suspects.  However what we can do to prevent this type of crime is to make sure that the potential criminal is aware that he or she is being watched. Experience has shown that this makes them prefer other areas.

The most effective way we can do this is by participating in visible patrolling.  We need to get out onto the streets and regularly patrol the suburb.  These patrollers can call in anything that they are unhappy with, allowing nearby residents to rally around in support.   At the same time, if you hear on the radio of a suspicious person or vehicle that is called on the radio, go out into the street with your radio and report the suspect’s progress.  By doing this we become an effective neighbourhood watch. 

Residents can play their part by joining the growing group of volunteers who patrol.  Why not send Dave 084 659 6028 a Whatsapp or phone him at the same number or just send an email to patrols@doringkloof.net to become a regular crime-buster.

 

INTRUDERS

Recently we had an intruder reported during the night hours.   Immediately on receiving the call, some residents responded and after a diligent search, nothing could not find any indication of an intruder.

While responding to night-time intruders’ was the initial reason for the formation of the Doringkloof Neighbourhood Watch, we have since gained in experience.  Three points need to be mentioned in this regard:

1.    Now-a-days, many residents do not act when they hear strange noises during the night.  They are either sleeping too soundly or they write off the noise to a cat of bird moving around at night; often, only to discover next morning that their vehicle has been broken into and something stolen.

2.    Many such noises at night are caused by cats jumping over a wall and then landing on something unstable, thus causing a noise.  Sometimes it is even just a hadeda moving on the roof.   (On many nights residents have responded to a call out only to find that after a fruitless search no intruder was found.)

3.    Then there is the odd occasion when a resident on hearing a noise at night, gets up to investigate and after a search calls it in on the radio.  Unfortunately, by the time other residents have reacted and come to the scene, any intruder will be out of the suburb.

To overcome these problems, we suggest that any resident, on being woken up by a strange noise, immediately checks the garden from a dark house, calling on the radio for the neighbours to check their own gardens and if nothing is detected, to look over the wall into the caller’s garden to check for intruders.   If nobody is seen, wait for a while to make sure and then call a “stand down”.  HOWEVER, if an intruder is observed, immediately report this on the radio, so that those residents responding can close off the block and trap the intruder(s).  It is then just a question of time before the suspect is apprehended.

Note:  Once a confirmed sighting is reported, the coordinator calls in the street corners surrounding the incident.  When a resident at the scene assumes the role of “on-site coordinator”, he or she is then in control and all residents re-act to the instructions given by this person.  The duty coordinator then also assumes a support role.

 

DRUG DEALS – GOOD NEWS

Recently police have conducted two raids on houses in Doringkloof from which drugs were sold.  Four suspects were arrested and charged.  Indeed, some buyers who happen to be on the scene at the time were also arrested.  

What was of interest was the information we could supply to the police that helped them to bust the criminals.  This was made possible by residents reporting sightings of drug deals, etc.  This information was then collated and given to the appropriate police officers.

We therefore urge all residents who observe any drug deal to call it in on the radio so that we can record it and build up a picture of what the drug dealers are up to. 

At the moment look out for a Chev Spark. (Listening to the radio will give you more information on what to look out for).  

 

Regards,
DNW Team

 

P.S.  .Being a member of a Whatsapp group or on Zello and without a radio places you outside the group of residents who are actively combating crime.

 

DO THE RIGHT THING – GET A RADIO

 

P.P.S. To be a member of the DNW and thus to be part of the crime prevention in Doringkloof means you have to have a radio plus paid your licence fee.  Radio licenses are now due – The annual fee is R50.   Watch the newsletter and listen on the radio for information regarding payment.  Non-payment could mean you may forfeit the security of being part of the DNW.

 

DO THE RIGHT THING – PAY YOUR LICENCE – OR BETTER STILL, MAKE A REGULAR CONTRIBUTION TO THE DNW.