This blog has closed down and will be removed in a few weeks.
If you have any concerns regarding crime in Hout Bay please visit www.houtbaycpf.org.za where you will find useful information and a place where information ideas and opinions can be shared. Contact details of those that can assist you also appear.
For ease of reference the CPF welcome page is reproduced here.
The Hout Bay Community Policing Forum is established in terms of section 19(1) of the SAPS act 1995. Our role is to ensure police accountability, transparency and effectiveness in the Hout Bay Community.
If you have anything relating to the work of the CPF you would like to voice please feel free to do so. You can email the chairman at kate@new.co.za or use the telephone numbers provided.
We have regular meetings held at the Hout Bay Library and we need your support so that we can have a two way transfer of information, ideas and opinions.
Office Bearers
Chairman - Jim McKenna 083 701 5899 kate@new.co.za
Vice-chairman - Chairman reports post vacated (resigned)01/03/2010, then on 22/04 Chairman states he never accepted the resignation so it's Andre van Schalkwyk 082 568 6562 andre@qos.co.za
Hout Bay SAPS- 021 791 8660
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This has been such an important blog to the community of Hout Bay. Personally, I check in 2x a day and without the very detailed information contained herein, I'd never know about most of the crime happening and would still be "complacent" about security. I'm really saddened by it's closure. Thank you so much for all the hard work you have put into keeping it updated on a daily basis. I've never posted a comment and, regrettably, never thanked you before either. So, albeit late, i again say a BIG thank you from me.
ReplyDeleteBokke Justin: Johann thanks also from me for the HUGE contribution this blog has made to the valley - and Bokkemanskloof particularly. The awareness it has generated has been invaluable in motivating and educating us all, not to mention the intelligence it has generated wrt repeat offenders, known vehicles etc.
ReplyDeleteI am truly distressed at how the various volunteer parties in the valley are being shut down - including Surf Rescue, CERT, now the blog, the Intel meetings we used to have, and even the Upper Valley initiative which has been under pressure. Imagine how fantastic it would be if all these initiatives (and people) could be recognised, harnessed, and lead - rather than perpetually attacked? Is this a crisis of leadership? What have we got left? Who wants to play in this game? We need to facilitate the structures and energy our civilians have, not shut them down . . .
Probably we do need better coordination across the valley - but it seems to me the baby has gone out with the bathwater.
Something about this keeps reminding me of the time when IBM refused to acknowledge the formation of the Internet. Look where we are now . . .
Johann, the blog has been good fun and if you read thro all the personal stuff, has had very good intel.It is a pity that it is going.
ReplyDeleteJustin, my understanding is that these organisations are not being shut down, they are being asked to become 'legal' by having properly constituted mandates, to clarify thier positions within the existing legal structures etc etc
Generally these organisations are asked to work within the exist community structure/systems etc, rather than outside of it thereby hampering the work that is being done for the good of ALL. Should they not wish to, that is their choice. I dont think we shouldnt blame everyone else then.
This may remind you of IBM, it reminds me of wayward children being called to task, and then throwing thier toys becuase the dont like it.
Ah well, in the proverbial again.
Steve - please tell us what 'legal' structure is providing the service that has been provided on this blog. Just checked out www.houtbaycpf.org.za: looks like a half-baked effort.
ReplyDeleteWatchcon.co.za has never had up-to-date stats or opportunity to comment.
First get the 'legal' structures in place and then talk about shutting down the others.
This is a shame
HB resident:
ReplyDelete1/Maybe I did not make myself clear, so at the cost of repeating myself - as far as I am aware no organisation has been asked to shut down !! They are asked to work TOGETHER WITH the existing 'legal' structures (cpf and hbnw) for the benefit of ALL.
2/ For clarity, it seems that the 'redirecting' of the blog to CPF was NOT at CPF's 'request', rather that it was taken on by the blog owner independantly !
3/ Maybe we should ask the 'volunteer parties' to share information - instead of keeping it to themselves/diseminating what is of benefit to theier objectives - and then maybe the 'legal' bodies have something to post - especially as some of these 'volunteer parties' are standing members/committee members of HBNW
There are 2 sides to every story - especially in HB !!
Steved you very tuff guy or maybe you wear a gun You say this blog was fun fun. I read there some murders with more to come, some shooting with more to come, some kidnap with more to come, some robberys with more to come, some rapes and more will come and the man Linda will come back too for fun
ReplyDeleteStella - my wife says I have a deep growly voice and the kids poo in their pants : )
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, until you know who I am AND what I stand for, dont make shit arse comments.
Have a good day : )
Steved I see you struggling also with the English language. Some words my teacher does not teach me. You also now very tuff guy and very funny guy and have big word experience than me. I only comment first just for your fun saying.
ReplyDeleteApologies to anyone I may have offended in my earlier comments. This was not intended as a dig at anyone particularly.
ReplyDeleteCrime, and lack of capacity to deal with it has put the entire Hout Bay community under extreme pressure. Originally we responded fantastically - the contribution from so many individuals has been incredible. Especially since we were just a loose collection of civilians who mostly did not know each other. But we have had no rules. As time has gone on, and organisations matured, so people have "taken positions" on so many issues. Rightly and wrongly. Now we are squabbling more than cooperating. We need a coherent vision. We need clear leadership. We need everyone to be patient and cooperative. We have no choice. Lets learn form this and move forward. Only constructive comments welcome!
As a new resident of Hout Bay, and an ardent supporter of this blog, I am upset to hear that it is closing. I have no idea why the blog is to be discontinued, but I would like to thank you, Johann, for your sterling efforts.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to say this, for what it's worth.
A little background: my home in Forest Town, Johannesburg, was invaded by an armed gang some two years ago. Although my family and friends all survived the attack without injury (apart from a small bruise to my husband's head, where he was pistol-whipped), it was a shattering experience for us, and for our children.
But arguably worse than the attack itself was the pathetic response from our local residents' association: not only did they try actively to hush up the attack (which happened while one of their contracted patrol vehicles was parked rightoutside our gate) but they also publicly castigated me for having let my neighbours and the local community website know, via email, what had happened. Their logic was that informing the community of crime incidents would cause 'panic and fear', and prompt residents to withdraw their financial support of the local security initiative. They, the association, refused to alert the community to crimes as they happened, preferring to send out an email every six weeks or so detailing the many crime serious incidents in the area.
This attitude was ludicrous, short-sighted and ultimately self-defeating.
What I'm trying to say is that I think Hout Bay's neighbourhood watch and radio network is an outstanding community effort, and one that is a shining model for every other community affected by serious crime. I am so impressed by the commitment and energy of the members and leaders of this initiative, and I thank you for helping me, and my family, feel safe in our home for the first time in many years.
In a nutshell: the initiative you've set up here in Hout Bay is superb: be grateful for it, and work together to ensure that it is not derailed, for any reason.
Jane-Anne (Bokke-Jane)
Just a comment from me.....
ReplyDeleteJohann, thanks for all the effort and time over the years, will miss the blog and I hope you reconsider.
Steve, valid points re structure.
Stella.....(dont understand your "Engrish" so rather dont comment as I don't understand the words coming out of your mouth)
Justin, good points and very constructive.
My take (for what its worth......) - We need a forum (such as a blog) for information sharing and residents comment, within the remit of the formal organizations under which we as the community operate (HBNW, CPF).
Lets not fight but move forward for the better of all.
Anthony C
Ant hony you are not understanding my comments so I must shut my mouth like this blog for you. you also have this deep growly voice like fun fun guy.
ReplyDeleteHi Johann - based on what I read in these comments nobody is wanting you to shut the blog down and everyone would love it if you continue - so please shed some light on who/what is wanting you to stop blogging. I'm worried we're going to start living in the world Jane describes: people hiding the truth to avoid mass panic and protect commercial interests
ReplyDeleteHi Johann, the blog is invaluable, thank you for all the effort you have put into it. Please DO explain to the (supportive) followers in your own words why you are shutting it down (to avoid all the speculation).
ReplyDeletergds
Andy Jones
I cannot say anything yet. I have always maintained I would withdraw If HBNW or CPF were unhappy with the Blog. HBNW are happy.
ReplyDeleteAs a fan of the blog and a believer in its value - may I suggest people mail CPF and ask what their master plan is? I don't see any info on their site about which areas' fences are being cut, which mountain paths are being targeted, which escape routes are being used, etc etc. I would assume they have a plan to keep residents informed on a daily basis?
ReplyDeleteThis from their website:
Jim McKenna 083 701 5899 kate@new.co.za
Andre van Schalkwyk 082 568 6562 andre@qos.co.za
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteVI I have deleted your comment because of foul language
ReplyDeleteHey JD
ReplyDeleteSad to see the site go. Thanks for all the hard work for the HB community (and not just on the blogs)
There are elements of the site that breach the constitutional rights of suspects. CPF/SAPS cant be seen to sanction this.
That they have taken so long is a measure of their IT awareness/competence.
I am glad that you have not been held personally liable- it was a matter of time before a politician happened upon the site :(