| The Newsletter for Margate |
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| Monday, 19 July 2010 08:52 |
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(Sub Committee of Margate Business Association) P O Box 1411 Margate 4275 Phone (039) 3172202 Sector manager: Insp Gavin Palmer 082 332 6195 Police Assistance N°: 10111 Protection Services Emergency N°: (039) 682 5555 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(July 2010) 2nd Edition SAPS Reservists The two teams of four SAPS Reservist Teams were activated during the second half of April 2010. Albeit response for financial contribution is slow from the community, the commitment by some landlords and business people has made it possible to complete the trial period for reservists up until the end of July 2010. The reservists were requested to visit each business on their main beat and were required to submit regular reports indicating visits to business. This was done in an effort to grow relationships and trust whereby the “fear of crime” is reduced. Already many positive comments have been forthcoming as a result of this exercise which is proving that through elevated policing and communication with our law enforcers, crime initiatives are working for a safer community and healthier tourism environment. In addition, the Reservist Team was briefed to focus on bylaw non-compliancy in an effort to elevate prevention of petty infringements which sometimes lead to more serious incidents of crime. During this season you will also have noticed that policing visibility from Protection Services reservists has also been substantially elevated. They are also policing bylaw infringements and have made a strong statement in terms of tourism events and Mardi Gras. Gavin Palmer (SAPS Sector Manager) has submitted reports relating to activities of the Reservist Team which is important in terms of performance and evaluation relating to the success of the initiative. The crime stats reveal quite a few cases of fraud around the Bank ATMs and members of the community are requested to be alert when drawing from these machines. The SAPS Reservists have made 46 arrests stemming from drunk in public, loitering, disturbance of the peace, and possession of banned substances. Many warnings have been issued for noise from vehicles and littering. The team of Reservists is in radio contact with the Camera Room which is backed up by both SAPS and Protection Services mobile teams. There were numerous serious complaints about noise from entertainment establishments/restaurants and Gavin Palmer has visited and addressed these with their management. Gavin Palmer indicated after the meetings that establishments visited had shown willingness to elevate cooperation in an effort to find amicable solutions. In addition, the situation will be monitored by the camera room (in terms of closing times) and SAPS Operational Teams and Reservists on the ground (in terms of noise levels and license compliancy). The Margate Sector Crime Forum is also in possession of liquor license details of all establishments and in certain cases, this non-compliancy is being addressed with the Liquor Board and Hibiscus Coast Municipality in terms of their business or liquor license conditions. The meeting with Protection Services (mentioned in our previous newsletter) was delayed as a result of their commitments around the Algerian Football Team. We have requested that this meeting take place urgently so that particularly issues around the management of car guards can be addressed. We acknowledge many complaints received in this area and want to assure the community that this issue has already been reported to SAPS and hopefully will enjoy priority. ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY, OUR THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES OR LANDLORDS WHO HAVE MADE THE TRIAL PERIOD POSSIBLE THROUGH THEIR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF EITHER R500 OR R1000/MONTH, OR THROUGH THE “DON’T DO CRIME” Board initiative: Mr Dougie Haralambous Continental Building Mr Robin Petterson Granada and Regent Buildings Mrs Diane Duncan Granada Building Mr John Fisher Margate Hotel (monthly & signs) Mr Stewart Lamont/Tony Clifton Central Court & Regent Building Mr George Henderson Remax-by-the-Sea Mr John Crickmay Seabrook Building Mr Gary Cosh Seabrook Building Mr Mike Skellern Kingsview Building Mr Robin Bothma Fun Entertainment Building Mr John Webster Hibiscus Retirement Villages Mr Rod Kinsley South Coast Audi (Sign) Mr Rod Kinsley South Coast Volkswagen (Sign) Mr Leighton Redfern Clothesline (Sign) Mr Rob Gavin The Gavin Trust Mr Rob Gavin Hunters Stream Mr Johnny de Wet Sumelda Holiday Flats
We trust that everyone has felt a remarkable difference in visibility and will come on board to enable us to continue this initiative into the future. All contributors will also be given the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to community safety by having a free company listing showing their logo, contact details and short description of their activities on both MBA websites: www.margatebusiness.co.za and www.gosouthcoast.co.za under a special banner which is presently being constructed and which should be activated within the next week.. The Crime Forum needs you! In an effort to continue to enhance security, maintain healthy tourism and extend this initiative beyond 31 July 2010, and whilst we are investigating a fair and equitable contribution request/consideration to present to all role-players, we are asking that every Body Corporate/Flat owner, Individual who lives in the CBD, Business Owner and Landlords make a monthly financial contribution of whatever they can afford to ensure that this initiative continues into the future. Imagine what we would be capable of if every flat owner paid a small contribution. We would appreciate Body Corporate Management Agents approaching their Trustees to motivate this with owners. Remember that if Margate remains safe, investment values are safe and visitors will feel safe to return. They would be contributing towards a healthy environment for their customers who provide holiday rental income – besides reducing the fear of crime for themselves and their families. In terms of a landlord meeting held in early March, the landlords that were present/represented agreed on us going forward. Many of these landlords were invoiced and although some paid and enabled the initiative for everyone’s benefit, response has been slow. Just as we feel that the Municipality is responsible to enable our environment for tourism and upgrade of infrastructure, we believe that it is the Landlord’s responsibility to provide enhanced security in terms of their tenants and safety of their customers (consider large shopping centres). Normally, to secure a building, a security guard would cost in the region of R5000 per month. By joining the team on a global basis, this cost is substantially reduced because of teamwork. We look forward to hearing from all the landlords.
We thank the following establishments for their future monthly commitment or other sponsorships already confirmed:
Margate Hotel – R1000 per month Hibiscus Retirement Village – R1000 per month Sumelda Holiday Flats – Johnny de Wet - R300 per month Doug’s Hardware Manaba – sponsorship of 4 torches for the Reservist Team Impact Printers – Arnie Hoffmann – printing of newsletters & application inserts
To make this initiative work, we need R30000-00 per month. (Community Pledge Form attached).
Banking Details Margate Sector Crime Forum ABSA Bank Margate A/C No: 4065774541
PLEASE MARGATE….. IT IS TIME TO STAND TOGETHER – IT’S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN SUCCEED.
Advertising Opportunities and Fundraising Initiatives “Don’t do Crime Boards” In 2006 “Don’t do Crime Boards” were installed all over Margate for a period of three years. The boards highlight emergency numbers, are used as a deterrent publicizing CCTV Camera System and offer an opportunity to advertise contributing businesses. The period of advertising has now expired and we again offer this unique opportunity to business to create not only exposure for their business, but also demonstrate their commitment to tourism by their involvement in crime prevention initiatives. This is also a great tool to deter crime.Orders are open for “Don’t Do Crime” boards at a cost of R1275 (same as 2006) per board (600 x 400 mm) for a period of three years (1 June 2010 – 31 May 2011).
Register with the Margate Sector Crime Forum Today
We are requesting that all business and Body Corporates in Margate register with the Margate Sector Crime Forum. This information will be consolidated and utilized in terms of profiling our area and providing information which will certainly help us to communicate effectively with you. Information Form attached should be returned to email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or faxed to (039) 317-2221
“BIG BROTHER” CCTV CAMERA SYSTEM OFFERS HIGH-TECH POLICING The surveillance camera system represents technology which provides operators with images of the town, 24-hours per day. Cameras are installed on domes which rotate through 360 degrees. There are also two stationary cameras in the town. These cameras are backed up by SAPS and Protection Services vehicles and are operated by individuals who are trained to identify both potential and live incidents of crime. Application has been made through the Ward Committee to have 7 additional cameras (for other high risk areas) included in the HCM 5-year Integrated Development Plan. IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS Sector Manager Insp Gavin Palmer : 082 332 6195 SAPS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE NUMBER : 10111/(039) 312-9864 PROTECTION SERVICES EMERGENCY NUMBER : (039) 682-5555 Margate Business Association/Margate Sector Crime Forum : (039) 317-2202 |
MARGATE SECTOR CRIME FORUM
There are also two high profile 1.2m x 912 mm square “entrance” boards available at R10 000 each.