Weekly reports, every week Click here to see an example of Capt van den Bergh's weekly emailed reports.
Ron's story
While walking her dogs walking near the East Fort, Rose came across six men lounging against the wall of the old Blockhouse – all well into their cups, with discarded wine and brandy bottles around them). But she continued walking and was immediately accosted by two of the men. Annoyed by this invasion of her privacy, she turned around and took the dogs to walk on the paths above Chapman’s Peak Drive.
When returning to her car, later, she discovered her keys were missing. Thinking she thought she might have dropped them, she retraced her steps and came upon the same bunch – leaving the East Fort blockhouse lurchin off up the road. She was still searching when she saw her car reverse out of the parking lot and hurtle down the hill and out of sight. Rose immediately reported what had happened.
Enter Hout Bay Neighbourhood Watch
I immediately got onto my HBNW 2-way radio and alerted the communications centre (WATCHCON). Other HBNW members picked up the call and within minutes my home telephone rang. Dave Cowley – who maintains the cannons at East Fort – called to say that, earlier that same day, he had driven over to East Fort and, from the parking lot, had seen the boozy, rowdy group.
Not liking the look of things he had elected not go down to the Fort – but he had the presence of mind to grab his digital camera and photograph the bunch.
Within 30 minutes of the vehicle being stolen, I had a CD with digital photographs of the suspects. I selected the sharpest photo and distributed this to HBNW members by email.
Within 60 minutes of the car being stolen, five of the suspects had been identified by name.
The photograph with names was handed over to the Hout Bay SAPS Detective Branch. Over the next few days all named suspects were called in and questioned. Two of the suspects already had prior convictions for car theft. Of the 6 men, four had criminal records.
But (of course) none of those interrogated knew anything about this vehicle theft!
Was the vehicle recovered?
Unfortunately, no.
But Rose’s ID, drivers licence and empty wallet (which were all in the vehicle at the time of the theft) were recovered (having been thrown out of the car) half way up Main Road (towards Constantia Nek).
The Police say that the vehicle was obviously immediately driven out of Hout Bay valley – and probably directly to a stolen vehicle “chop shop” on the Cape Flats.
No recovered vehicle – no fingerprints – no direct evidence to link the "East Fort 6" with the theft of this Land Rover.
But the Hout Bay Neighbourhood Watch communication system definitely works!
Crime is a problem that has a negative effect on the lives of all citizens of any country, city or town. It does not matter how poor or rich one is, anyone can become a victim of crime.
What is very sad, though, is the fact that one waits for a real disaster to strike before reacting to crime. This is exactly what happened during the world famous Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour weekend in 2005.
Hout Bay had started experiencing an escalating rate of crime from 2000 onwards. From 2003 the crime rate suddenly increased dramatically across all categories. Property related crime (i.e. housebreaking and theft out of vehicles) was skyrocketing. The Hout Bay Police worked extremely hard in trying to prevent the property related crimes but, with their limited resources, without too much real success. Although the Police made many arrests, these did not appear to halt the incidences of property related crime. Reported crime statistics just kept on rising.
House robberies (where victims were actually attacked, either in their own homes or in any of the many B&Bs and guesthouses in Hout Bay) were of huge concern. It was just such a house robbery which let to the brutal murder of the late Mr Vergeur, an out-of-town visitor who had come to Hout Bay in order to compete in the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour during March 2005.
The immediate and local outrage sparked by this callous murder led, within a few days, to a public meeting being called. The Kronendal School hall was full-to-overflowing, and many people had to stand outside in order to listen to the proposals regarding the formation of a Neighbourhood Watch (NW) being tabled. Captain Gerhard van den Bergh, the Deputy Station Commissioner and Crime Prevention Officer (at that time) of SAPS Hout Bay, together with a few other leaders of the community, explained how a NW would work. There was a unanimous and positive response to the proposal to form a Neighbourhood Watch in Hout Bay. The residents of Hout Bay made it very clear that they had all had enough of crime and that, by them sitting back and waiting, nothing was likely to be done.
The first thing that happened was that the Hout Bay community decided to change their "attitude" to crime. They decided to stop blaming, complaining and criticizing each other. They decided to first-of-all rather spend their time and effort into planning and holding fruitful and constructive meetings with a view to combating crime. The fledgling HBNW decided to not be a complaints board, but rather a positive and pro-active project with no time for pessimism. The time had come for negative media reports on crime to stop and consequently the Hout Bay community newspaper, The Sentinel, also became part of the HBNW machine with a mandate to rather publish articles on the successes achieved against combating crime.
Captain Gerhard van den Bergh was initially very sceptical about the viability of the whole NW project. He confided that he had seen similar projects started and had then seen the enthusiasm fade away after a couple of months. Gerhard made it very clear that "A community Neighbourhood Watch is not a short term project, it's a way of life - and the day you stop is the day that crime returns".
Another interesting factor was that Hout Bay is a microcosm of the demographic profile of the whole of South Africa, with every race, culture, creed and language represented. Captain van den Bergh honestly believed that it would be very difficult for the greater Hout Bay community to stand and work together. He felt that there were just too many diverse cultures involved. Well, he was totally wrong and the lesson he learned was that everything could change with the right attitude - and he admits that he was totally surprised by the Hout Bay community's co-operation.
So what did the Hout Bay residents do to construct a successful HBNW?:
The Hout Bay Community Policing Forum (CPF) initially approved the formation of HBNW as an ethical project.
An effective management committee structure (MANCO) was created.
Hout Bay was divided Bay into 27 different operating Sectors.
Each active Sector elected its own Sector Co-ordinator (leader).
Many Sector meetings stated taking place. Captain van den Bergh attended these meetings in order to assist the Sectors with their development (and, on some days, he attended up to 3 different Sector meetings in 1 night!).
HBNW started to investigate the possibility of acquiring hand-held 2-way radios (because of the limitations of one-on-on cell phone communication).
Captain van den Bergh started producing his weekly Hout Bay Crime Report which was forwarded, every Monday night, to all Sector Leaders and other important role players. This Report is still issued every Monday evening and is an overview as to what crimes were reported during the previous week (in the different HBNW Sectors) and also as to what action had been taken.
Etc, etc, etc.
Within 2 months the incidences of crime in the Hout Bay valley started to show a positive decrease (and in some categories the crime rate dropped by over 60%)!
With the local community now covering protection in the residential areas, the Police could, at last, start focussing their efforts on more serious issues (i.e. violent crimes and drugs). Before the formation of HBNW the Police had spent a lot of time on property related crimes, time which could now be dedicated to information-driven Policing operations and proactive Police work.
After a lot of hard work, and a huge commitment from all involved, Hout Bay Neighbourhood Watch has now achieved the following:
An excellent and dedicated Management Committee (MANCO).
31 operating Sectors, with the 31 Sector Co-ordinators forming the Exceutive Committee (EXCO) of HBNW.
More than 2,000 dedicated members (and this number is still growing).
More than 300 hand-held 2-way radios in operation - all tuned to the same radio frequency and used by HBNW members, the Police and 2 separate armed-response security companies.
A 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, manned operations room (WATCHCON).
A full-time (employed) Executive Officer - as well as an operational Field Officer.
A huge increase in public awareness.
A huge increase in crime-related information received by the Police - and a commensurate huge increase of trust, in the Police, by the public.
A huge decrease in the incidences of reported property related crime - as well as a huge decrease in violent crime.
Positive co-operation between the Police, the 2 local armed-response security companies and the media.
The introduction of speedy reporting (and reaction) times towards any suspicious behaviour in Hout Bay.
An ongoing Weekly Crime Report (issued by Captain Gerhard van den Bergh - every Monday) which keeps all interested parties advised of the incidences of crime and the actions taken to combat this.
"If we change our attitude, we can change our crime"
Ron's story