Dewetshof and Lower Cyrildene Residents Association Urgent Security Newsletter
Introduction
As you may be aware, a meeting was held on the 19 of July at Queens High School to discuss the security issues within our area. We had a good turn out and the committee would like to thank the residents for attending the meeting. The purpose of this newsletter is to discuss the outcome of the meeting and propose a way forward, in order to ensure that the safety and security within our area is maintained.
The following will be addressed in this newsletter:
1 Background
2 Election of new committee and street captains
3 Armed response versus boomed area
4 MXO Crime Reduction Unit
5 Fees and methods of payment (Existing and New Members)
6 Public liability insurance to be reinstated
7 Repairs and General Maintenance
8 Emergency procedures
9 Methods of Communication
10 Plan of Action
1 Background
During 2002 the area was closed off due to the escalating crime rate within our area. To date, the road closures have proven to be a successful deterrent in combating crime.
As you all may have noticed, the boom gates were reopened on the weekend of the 17th of July. The main reason for this was to create an awareness that there are insufficient funds to pay for the security guards and services within the area. Currently, out of 199 households, only 78 households are contributing to the monthly security fees.
We met with the head of the security company, Moses Kunene (MXO Crime Reduction Unit) on the 21st of July to discuss the current situation. As it stands, we are not paying the required fees to maintain the services of MXO. A three month grace period has been granted by MXO to rectify the situation and sign on non-contributing members to cover the shortfall. If we do not get additional contributors for the closure, the council will remove all the gates and fencing from our area and we will lose the services of MXO.
We believe that there may be a number of residents (new and existing) that are not aware of the procedures and details regarding the closure. This may be due to lack of communication and communication barriers.
We are urging all non-contributing members to please join in, and encourage the existing members to continue with the monthly debit orders.
2 Election of new committee and street captains
On the 19th of July, the members of the community elected a new security committee. These members represent the street captains of the respective streets.
Name / Contact number / E-mail address / Street1 / Darlene Joubert / 082 413 9976 / / Siegfried/Derick
2 / Paulo Do Carmo / 082 444 7047 / / Silas
5 / Ana Frawley / 083 239 6454 / / Turnstone
6 / Debbie Habib / 082 933 3779 / / Tainton
7 / Carlos Batista / 082 455 0504 / N/A / Silas
8 / Jeff Nolan / 083 320 3994 / / Turnstone/Finch
9 / Roberto De Oliveira / 082 908 0700 / / Rollo
10 / Paulo Cianfanelli / 082 339 0232 / / Rollo
11 / Michael Leong / 083 659 0723 / / Aida
It has been noted that NOT ALL ethnic and cultural groups are represented on the committee. We urge any interested parties to please join the committee and assist in bridging any communication barriers that may exist. Please contact your respective street captain in this regard.
3 Armed response versus boomed area
It became apparent that there is a misunderstanding between armed response companies (e.g. ADT) and the road closures. This was highlighted by the fact that residents are not comfortable paying for the road closures as they are already contributing towards an armed response unit.
Armed response: This is a REACTIVE SERVICE that will only react during/after an emergency. The armed response company can only act within the jurisdiction of your property. BY LAW, they have NO JURISDICTION outside of your four walls. This means that should an incident occur outside your premises, they are not obliged to respond to your security needs. Only in the event of an incident occurring/having occurred within your property will they respond to your needs.
Road closure and security patrol: Road closure is a PROACTIVE SERVICE THAT IS YOUR FIRST DETERRENT AGAINST CRIME. This service aims to prevent any crime incidents from taking place as security guards are constantly monitoring and patrolling streets on the lookout for any suspicious activity that may be taking place. There is only a small fee to pay for the reassurance that children and families can be outside their households under the supervision of our 24 hour security guards. This is a classic example of prevention is better than cure.
4 Agreements reached between Committee and MXO Crime Reduction Unit
Following an agreement reached with the MXO Crime Reduction Unit, they will continue to provide us with their services, subject to membership levels reaching an agreed level within 3 months. The Head of MXO has reminded the committee on a number of occasions that the current circumstances are NOT SUSTAINABLE. Services offered by MXO include:
· 14 Registered Security guards will be dispatched to monitor the area and control the booms.
· Security boards are to be displayed on the outside walls of all contributing households.
· Contributing members will be provided with contact numbers of the security guards. These members will be entitled to phone the security guards and arrange to be escorted home at the request of the member.
WE WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THAT THE SITUATION IS CRITICAL, AND FAILING TO CONTRIBUTE WILL UNDOUBTABLY SEE THE END OF THE ROAD CLOSURES. If you are not contributing or are unable to contribute, please provide us with some feedback as to why. You can contact your street captain or visit the website (http://www.cyrildeneresidents.co.za/) to submit your feedback/compliments/complaints.
5 Fees and Methods of Payment
The monthly fee for the road closure and security service per household is as follows:
· R150 for residents OVER the age of 65 (Pensioners)
· R275 for residents UNDER the age of 65
These fees have remained unchanged since the inception of the road closure in 2002.
The committee has decided to implement a new payment scheme. As of the 1st of September residents can make a payment for the entire year and get one month FREE.
Methods of Payment:
· Debit order
o A debit order form has been attached to this letter. Please note that this is the preferred method of payment.
o Existing members are not required to resubmit this form. However, if your account details have changed, please submit a new debit order form with your new banking details.
· Eft (Electronic Funds Transfer)
o Complete the attached top section of the debit order authority form in order for us to update the database and stipulate payment method as EFT across the bottom section.
o Note: This is required for the accounting officer to manage and track payments received.
o Banking details below (**)
· Cash/Cheque deposit at the bank
o Banking details below (**)
NOTE: For EFT and Cash/Cheque deposits, please use your name & address as a reference in order to reconcile the accounts accordingly. (e.g. Joubert D - 6 Rollo).
** Banking Details:
Dewetshof & Lower Cyrildene Residents Association
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Bedford Gardens
Branch Code: 018305
Account No: 022605983
It is important to emphasize that “Dewetshof and lower Cyrildene residents Association” is a registered entity under section 21 (Non-profit organization), and that all funds are solely used for our road closure and security services. Upon request, all contributing members can obtain access to the accounting records maintained by the accounting officer. In this regard please contact your street captain for further information.
6 Public liability Insurance to be reinstated
In short, this represents the Insurance against damages awarded to members of the public because of an injury or damage to their property. It also covers any related legal fees, costs and expenses.
This cover was cancelled due to the lack of funding. Our aim is to have the insurance reinstated. This will only be possible upon the joining of new members. In this event, there will be no additional costs over and above the monthly fees.
7 Repairs and General Maintenance
With the joining of new members, we aim to accumulate funds over and above the operational costs of the security, in order to:
· Provide toilet facilities for our guards.
· Repair holes/damages to booms, gates and fences.
· Improve lighting at booms
· Supply our guards with better equipment (Uniform, two way radios, bicycles)
These enhancements will improve the overall professionalism and performance of the security guards.
We urge residents and any interested parties to please contribute towards the above where possible. Please speak to your street captains if you are able to assist or have any direct contacts that would be able to provide the above at reduced rates.
8 Emergency procedures
In the event of an emergency, the following procedures should be followed:
· Directly contact the head of the security company – Moses Kunene, who will dispatch the security guards on call.
· A memorandum detailing the contact details of Moses Kunene and the security guards will be distributed to all contributing members within the area.
9 Methods of Communication
For general queries, please contact your street captains (refer section 2 for contact details).
A website has been registered as an additional means of communication.
http://www.cyrildeneresidents.co.za/
Some of the website functionality includes:
· General information
· View/Download Newsletter and related documentation.
· Submit queries/concerns/feedback, which will be attended to by one of the committee members.
· Contact Details
· Voting poles
10 Plan of action
· 15th – 18th of August:
o the Newsletters will be handed out by the security guards patrolling the streets.
· 18th – 24st August:
o Street Captains will go from house to house to collect the debit order forms and obtain feedback from the residents. We ask that you please be considerate and provide the necessary feedback as the street captains are taking their time to improve the overall safety of our residents.
· 24th of August:
o Debit order forms of all contributors to be handed over to Milton (Accounting officer).
We thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. Please let us all stand together and ensure that we maintain the safety within our area.
DEWETSHOF AND LOWER CYRILDENE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
RESIDENT’S INFORMATION AND DEBIT ORDER AUTHORITY
FULNAME:______
PHYSICALADDRESS:______
TELEPHONE: (H)______(W)______(CELL)______
E-MAILADDRESS:______
AGREEMENT WITH
NAME: Dewetshof & Lower Cyrildene Residents Association
I/WE (NAME): ______
hereby authorise:
NAME: Dewetshof & Lower Cyrildene Residents Association
utilising the services of CATS/EFTS, to draw against my/our account
the sum of R275.00 (two hundred and seventy five Rand)
BANK NAME: ______
BRANCH NAME: ______
BRANCH CODE: ______
ACCOUNT NUMBER: ______
ACCOUNT TYPE: CHEQUE / SAVINGS /TRANSMISSION
(delete where not applicable)
or any other bank or branch to which I may transfer my/our
account on the first day of each and every month commencing on:
STARTING DATE: ______
until termination of the contract by either party. This
Authority may be cancelled by me/us by giving:
NAME: Dewetshof & Lower Cyrildene Residents Association
30 days notice telephonically and by fax confirmation
but I/we understand that we shall not be authorized by any
refund of amounts which:
NAME: Dewetshof & Lower Cyrildene Residents Association
may have withdrawn while this authority was in force if
such amounts were legally owing to:
NAME: Dewetshof & Lower Cyrildene Residents Association
I/We agree to pay any Bank Charges relating to this debit
order instruction and also understand that each withdrawal
will be reflected on my/our bank statement and identified
by a code “DLCRCA”
ASSIGNMENT:
I/We acknowledge that the party hereby authorised to effect the drawing(s) against my/our
account may not cede or assign any of its rights to any third party without my/our prior consent
and that I/we may not delegate any of my/our obligations in terms of this contract/authority to
any third party without prior written consent of the authorised party.
DATED AT______ON THIS______DAY OF______2009
SIGNATURE:______
NB: Please attach a cancelled cheque to this form for bank identification purposes. (Current account only)