Dear Steve I am relieved and happy to have read your informative, positive and good account in a nut shell of Obs' happenings, the ONW's involvement and the welcome changes which the OBSID are busy implementing. Yes the ONW is alive and well and doing what it does best, making the difference in keeping our residents, visitors, students and business fraternity safer, more connected via this forum, WhatsApp, Facebook and Zello, the reactivation of our two way radio network linked in with the OBSID and SAPS and placing new feet on the ground where it matters most. The pen was proven mightier than the weapon and so is something positively done greater than than that not done. Pulling together will get crime busted faster in Obs than fighting in solo against faceless sods and silos. The sooner we do may turn the tide of drug driven acts and desolation, of hunger and poverty and become the answer steeped in experience and achievement in a reasonable peaceful Village of Obs. Well done thus far, keep up the good work and trust that Bruno's concerns will be speedily met. Jame PS: Bruno's email should also have been Cc'd onto the OBSID chat site for good measure
On 23 June 2015 at 08:21, Johan Beaurain <[email protected]> wrote: > Paddy, I am also optimistic about the future, but for very different > reasons. > > > > I am optimistic because as South Africans we are still talking and > engaging with each other despite the tremendous harm we have done to each > other and despite the harm that we continue to do to each other day after > day. > > > > Whilst we talk and engage with each other there is still a chance for us > to fix up our acts. > > > > How many years do you think it will take us before we realize that to > fight crime effectively we will have to restructure our economy in a manner > that will result in our jails having to be closed down because there are no > more criminals to incarcerate > <http://www.thesouthafrican.com/the-netherlands-has-run-out-of-criminals-eight-prisons-to-be-closed/> > ? > > On Tue, Jun 23, 2015 at 7:05 AM, Patrick Chapple < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Thank you Steve, >> >> I share your sense of optimism. As a resident since 1981, I am very >> positive about the steps Observatory residents are taking. The Civic is >> revitalised, the ONW is back on its feet and the Board of the Obscid made >> some hard decisions. We also, finally, have a responsive and effective >> relationship with Woodstock SAPS. House prices in Obs were the 4th >> highest increase growth in the country! Yes we have crime. Like every other >> neighbourhood. But we have a lower crime rate than both Pinelands and >> Rondebosch. >> >> Paddy Chapple >> >> >> >> *From:* [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] *On >> Behalf Of *Steve Killick >> *Sent:* 22 June 2015 10:02 PM >> *To:* [email protected] >> *Cc:* Obsid COO; Johannes Bronkhorst >> >> *Subject:* Re: [obsnw] Lower Obs (other side of the Railways) very >> concerned >> >> >> >> Dear Fellow Observants, >> >> >> >> I am writing this in response to numerous concerned posts regarding our >> safety and security in Observatory. >> >> >> >> I have recently taken over as Deputy Chair of ONW and I am now acting as >> Chair while Chris Wiehe is overseas for a few months. >> >> >> >> Since ONW was reinstated earlier this year, we have seen especially >> encouraging results with the crime situation on Lower Main Road but also >> throughout Observatory. Last week at our monthly meeting, our SAPS Sector >> Manager reported that in recent months there had been an overall decrease >> in reported crime of between 20 to 30% and thanked us for our efforts. He >> also noted that its is very helpful for us to feed SAPS information as we >> have been doing. Granted, some types of crime (like armed robbery) have >> been on the increase of late, but in general in think we are starting to >> see the benefits of having an active neighborhood watch and a proactive >> police force working together again. >> >> >> >> OBSID has a new incoming COO, Hudson McComb, and a new Public Safety >> Manager, Hannes Bronkhorst. Both of these gentlemen are open to new ideas >> and are committed to improving our safety and security. There are already >> some changes a foot: >> >> - The OPS control center which was previously stationed in Mowbray and >> shared with the Groote Schuur Improvement District is to be moving to >> Station Road and will now be dedicated to serving Observatory only. >> >> - OBSID is currently evaluating its existing security contract which is >> coming up for renewal. This includes the patrollers, horse boxes and camera >> systems with a view to improving the service and getting us more value for >> money. >> >> >> >> We have had some discussions with OBSID around the security contract >> issue. It was agreed that we would engage our membership to see if there is >> expertise available within the community to assist in the evaluation >> process, identify possible improvements and determine best combination of >> solutions to implement. We will meet with OBSID within the coming weeks to >> review the existing systems/contracts and to brainstorm new ideas. *This >> is the opportunity for us to have a say and I would like to call for your >> assistance with this:* >> >> >> >> 1. If there is anyone with expertise in camera systems, neighborhood >> security, security contracts etc that is able to volunteer their time to >> this process, please email me a short note on how you think you can assist. >> >> 2. If you have ideas that you feel strongly for or against, please email >> me your thoughts so we can raise your point for consideration. >> >> >> >> I realise that this process is not the immediate action we are all >> looking for, but I think its an important process to go through if we are >> to make the right decisions. In the meantime, I can only appeal to you to >> get involved in any way you can towards helping SAPS and OBSID to help us: >> >> - There are ONW meetings each month and all are welcome. >> >> - Membership is free and patrolling is purely voluntary. >> >> - Even if you can't patrol, just by being vigilant and reporting crimes >> and/or suspicious behavior through the correct channels has a huge impact. >> >> - There are also a range of other ways you can help aside from >> patrolling: Marketing, PR, Finance, Recruiting etc >> >> >> >> >> >> Thanks and regards, >> >> >> >> Steve >> >> >> >> On Mon, Jun 22, 2015 at 8:37 AM, Bruno Migliorini < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >> Hi Everyone, >> >> >> >> Thanks for your valuable input. Here's what I get from the discussions: >> >> - Livelier neighbourhood is great: maybe we can try to creatively think, >> based on examples from others, about how to get more people in the streets. >> In the meantime, I find patrolling a good idea. However, I work and travel >> most of the time and there's only so much time in a day that we can cover >> with travelling. Already, our whatsapp group is very lively. >> >> >> >> - OBSID does a good job considering the mean they receive from our >> neighbourhoods (calculated based on house values). >> >> >> >> Now... what if we increased their means? I mean horse boxes are nice, >> they provide visibility and they work well... By how much would we have to >> increase the rates to cover the whole of obs? Basically let OBSID provide >> the prevention/visibility and interact with SAPS for the reaction. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Le dimanche 21 juin 2015 21:33:10 UTC+2, Stefan a écrit : >> >> Hello Melanie , >> >> it would be interesting how much it would have to increase it in order to >> make OBSID more effective ... perhaps that`s what`s necessary ? >> If I think about how much ADT costs per month without being effective >> like OBSID ... >> >> Stefan >> >> >> On 6/21/15 6:22 PM, Rosemary Robins wrote: >> >> OBSID has always had a clean audit. We are 2 people in our house - >> costs us approx. R1.60 per day each for all the benefits. Our refuse (once >> a week) costs nearly the same amount. I appreciate there are frustrations >> with OBSID but please be realistic. >> >> >> >> On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 1:08 PM, bluebellsandroses <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> I agree totally with Bruno. Also, I don't understand why the current levy >> is apparently not effective to give us more horse carts. What is happening >> with the current money?! Every single household in ons pays via rates. So >> how can there not be enough money? >> >> Melanie >> >> >> >> >> >> Sent from Samsung Mobile >> >> >> >> -------- Original message -------- >> >> From: Bruno Migliorini >> >> Date:21/06/2015 10:17 AM (GMT+02:00) >> >> To: [email protected] >> >> Subject: Re: [obsnw] Lower Obs (other side of the Railways) very >> concerned >> >> >> >> Well then, let's change these ineffective and limiting regulations and >> let's try to avoid being killed. One of these days, the bullet will come >> out and it will be too late to react. We pay for security, if we are mugged >> at gunpoint 2 times per week, sorry but it's a fail. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Le dimanche 21 juin 2015 09:54:23 UTC+2, Rose007 a écrit : >> >> OBSID is bound to adhere to the regulations/laws governing improvement >> districts. They do not have the authority to charge whatever levy they >> deem suitable and their powers are limited. Infringement of any of the >> regulations could have dire consequences. >> >> >> >> On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 9:19 AM, Bruno Migliorini <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> Hi, >> >> >> >> Every house in Obs pays the same amount every month for Improvement >> district. Our side of Obs used to be very quiet and somehow reasonable in >> regards with crimes (a few car break ins, mugging the tunnels under the >> rails). In the past 6 months, things have gone wild over here: stolen cars, >> armed muggings, house break-ins, etc. Our wives and kids are not safe >> anymore! This week only, two armed robberies occurred 20 meters from my >> house, people got guns pointed at them, nearly same place, twice in a week, >> at 6pm! >> >> >> >> Since a year, we have hosted the horse box with security during 4 weeks. >> *That >> is all* in regards with crime prevention in our zone. And it worked >> perfectly well as all went quiet for 4 weeks. >> >> >> >> All we get is reactive actions... Wait to face the gun, pray to stay >> alive, but don't worry OBSID will help you fill the paperwork! >> >> >> >> I sincerely think OBSID needs to have more power, more patrols, more >> horse boxes, more contribution from the Citizen. In my own case, the past >> six months did cost about 60000 ZAR of stolen goods and windows replaced. >> Hence 10000 ZAR/month!!! I am definitely happy to increase OBSID fee by 100 >> or 200 or 500 Rands to avoid that in the future. >> >> >> >> Regards, >> >> >> >> Bruno >> >> -- >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> OPS [Obsid Public Safety] - 24/7 control room >> >> TEL: 021-447-1066 or 072-063-1653 >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> EMERGENCIES: 10111 >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> ONW email: [email protected] >> WEB: www.obswatch.org.za >> FACEBOOK: facebook.com/obswatch >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> Other Useful Obs Numbers: obs.org.za/obsdir >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> The Observatory Neighbourhood watch group. To post to this group, send >> email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send >> email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this >> group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/obsnw?hl=en >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "The Observatory Neighbourhood Watch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> >> >> >> -- >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> OPS [Obsid Public Safety] - 24/7 control room >> >> TEL: 021-447-1066 or 072-063-1653 >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> EMERGENCIES: 10111 >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> ONW email: [email protected] >> WEB: www.obswatch.org.za >> FACEBOOK: facebook.com/obswatch >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> Other Useful Obs Numbers: obs.org.za/obsdir >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> The Observatory Neighbourhood watch group. 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For more options, visit this >> group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/obsnw?hl=en >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "The Observatory Neighbourhood Watch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> >> >> >> -- >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> OPS [Obsid Public Safety] - 24/7 control room >> >> TEL: 021-447-1066 or 072-063-1653 >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> EMERGENCIES: 10111 >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> ONW email: [email protected] >> WEB: www.obswatch.org.za >> FACEBOOK: facebook.com/obswatch >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> Other Useful Obs Numbers: obs.org.za/obsdir >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> The Observatory Neighbourhood watch group. 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For more options, visit this >> group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/obsnw?hl=en >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "The Observatory Neighbourhood Watch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> >> >> >> -- >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> OPS [Obsid Public Safety] - 24/7 control room >> >> TEL: 021-447-1066 or 072-063-1653 >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> EMERGENCIES: 10111 >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> ONW email: [email protected] >> WEB: www.obswatch.org.za >> FACEBOOK: facebook.com/obswatch >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> Other Useful Obs Numbers: obs.org.za/obsdir >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> The Observatory Neighbourhood watch group. 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To unsubscribe from this group, send >> email to [email protected]. For more options, visit >> this group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/obsnw?hl=en >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "The Observatory Neighbourhood Watch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > > -- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > OPS [Obsid Public Safety] - 24/7 control room > > TEL: 021-447-1066 or 072-063-1653 > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > EMERGENCIES: 10111 > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ONW email: [email protected] > WEB: www.obswatch.org.za > FACEBOOK: facebook.com/obswatch > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Other Useful Obs Numbers: obs.org.za/obsdir > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > The Observatory Neighbourhood watch group. 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For more options, visit this > group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/obsnw?hl=en > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "The Observatory Neighbourhood Watch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OPS [Obsid Public Safety] - 24/7 control room TEL: 021-447-1066 or 072-063-1653 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- EMERGENCIES: 10111 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ONW email: [email protected] WEB: www.obswatch.org.za FACEBOOK: facebook.com/obswatch ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Useful Obs Numbers: obs.org.za/obsdir You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups The Observatory Neighbourhood watch group. 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