To view the latest newsletter click tab - 'News'
or, to go directly, click here
13th Avenue Incident
An extremely worrying incident occurred on Saturday morning the 3rd of May whereby Ian Johnston and his wife experienced an armed robbery and consequent theft of goods, jewelry, cell phones, cash and their 4X4 Toyota Prada from their home in 13th Avenue.
An emergency meeting was called between myself, representing the PNRA, Ian Johnston and Dr Rob Girdwood (13th Avenue) and representatives of ADT including Mike Kidson (Head of Community Security Services) and Tinus Swanepoel (ADT Community Security Manager) as well as Paul Rossouw (localised security schemes), Andre De Wet (OPS) and Carlos Barbosa (OPS) where the incident and ADT's response, was discussed at length.
Of grave concern to us, is the fact that this incident occurred at all, despite the fact that 13th avenue has two permanent security installations (top and bottom 24hr guards in huts). In addition it benefits from the newly introduced service of three proactive armed response vehicles patrolling our suburb.
The attached report from ADT describes the incident and explains why ADT were not able to intervene or apprehend the perpetrators, and most importantly, what measures have been taken to ensure that this does not happen again.
It was also felt that residents could assist the police and ADT by being especially vigilant and that if residents became aware of any unknown or suspicious looking vehicle that they should:
- Call the localised guard
- phone the ADT command centre
- Press their panic button
David Culverwell
Here follows ADT's report:-
(ADT's) REPORT: Armed Robbery
On arrival the Chief Security Officer by the name of Dave Nortje he made contact with Mr. Johnston from number 28 13th Avenue Parktown-North and the ADT Security Guard Christopher Ncube and they confirmed that an armed robbery took place.
After further investigation it was found that Mr. Johnston was in the process of leaving his premises. He opened the garage door and got into his white Toyota Prado registration number VPY 328 GP and as he was in the process of reversing his vehicle, he was held up by two unknown armed African males.
One suspect then forced Mr. Johnston out of his vehicle and into the house, while a second suspect parked Mr. Johnston's vehicle back into the garage. They then took Mr. Johnston to the main bedroom where Mrs. Johnston was sleeping. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were both tied up inside the bedroom by the suspects by using ties.
The following items were taken by the suspects: unknown jewelry, 2 x wallets containing an undisclosed amount of cash, credit cards, house and vehicle keys, gate remotes and 2 x cell phones. Christopher, the ADT Security Guard saw a white Ford Husky parked outside the premises.
According to him he could not see anyone around the premises or the vehicle at the time. A couple of minutes later an African male came out of the premises being 28 13th Avenue Parktown-North and proceeded to the Ford Husky vehicle. The vehicle started and the suspect drove off. The Guard then noticed the second African male driving out of the garage in the client's vehicle and he noticed that it was not the client and activated his panic button for the Armed Reaction to respond. He tried to stop the vehicle but it did not stop. Two live rounds of ammunition were found in the street and were handed over to Const. Ngobeni from the Parkview S.A.P.S.
No shots were fired and no injuries were reported. Trauma counseling was arranged with Dr. Cilliers for Mr. and Mrs. Johnston.
Conclusion:
- After an investigation was conducted by the L.S.S. Operations Manager Paul Rossouw it was established that the Guard on duty at the time did not have his panic button with him at the time he had done his patrol. This was confirmed to one of the residents in the area by the Guard. This caused a delay in the panic button being activated by the Guard, as he had to go back to the guard house to take the panic to activate it.
- After a meeting that was held with David Culverwell of the PNRA, Mr. Johnston, and Dr. Girdwood (13th Avenue) and the following ADT Security representatives, Mike Kidson (CSD), Tinus Swanepoel (CSD), Paul Rossouw (L.S.S.), Andre De Wet (OPS) and Carlos Barbosa (OPS), it was agreed that the Guard in the street would inform the Armed Reaction Officer the moment he notices a vehicle that does not belong in the street immediately when it is detected.
- It was also agreed by the parties involved that each resident would provide a list of vehicles that is "authorized" or that belongs to the resident to ADT Security so that the Guard would be able to identify any vehicle that does not belong in the street.
- The Guard would activate his panic button the moment he notice any vehicle that does not belong in the street for the Armed Response to investigate.
Action to be taken by ADT Security:
- The Guard in question will be internally disciplined for not having his panic button with him at the time he had gone on patrol.
- All the Guards in the street will be issued with an instruction stating what they need to do when they see a vehicle that does not belong in the street. This will be done and implemented as from tonight and all should be informed by the end of the week.
Thank you
Regards
Paul Rossouw
Operations Manager
L.S.S. Residential
Gauteng
083 339 1606
|
CRIME REPORTING
- EMERGENCY PHONE 10111
- OR PARKVIEW POLICE AT 486 5000.
- PLEASE REPORT ANY CRIME, NO MATTER HOW INSIGNIFICANT. STATISTICS ARE NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE BY SAPS. IF YOU DON'T WANT THE 'BOTHER OF GOING TO THE STATION', e-mail: PARKVIEW-SAPS@saps.org.za
For Safety and Security Tips see ...
DEVELOPMENT
Parktown Quarter [previously known as Northpark Centre]
At the AGM, a representative of Retail Africa publicly expressed a
desire to liaise with us regarding the proposals for Parktown Quarter.
The experience of Judy Stockill regarding these "approaches"
has been one of on-going postponement and evasion of the issues of
concern to us all. For nearly a year the PNRA has been trying to get
sight of concrete proposals with no success.
Our planner, Les Oakenfull has also come away empty handed.
Suffice it to say, it seems Retail Africa wishes to develop the centre to five storeys. The residential stands, developed illegally as shaded parking undoubtedly bring in added revenue, while they pay residential rates on the land.
Our Town Planner writes:
The developers, Retail Africa, have upgraded the shopping centre at the corner of 7th and 3rd Avenues. They also applied some time ago for the rezoning of the property to extend the site and increase the size of the centre.
The PNRA and a large number of individual residents objected to the rezoning which has not yet been considered by the City Council. There are a number of aspects of the proposed additional development which are likely to be unacceptable.
At the same time the renewal of the area and the potential improvement of the shopping facilities may have some advantages to Parktown North residents.
Retail Africa has offered to discuss the development proposals with the PNRA committee and we will closely monitor the issues of concern to have a positive influence on any decision by the Council.
We hope to be able to negotiate an outcome to serve the interests of all, especially those residents abutting this project |
from our newsletter -
SAFETY & SECURITY
Whilst we facilitated a presentation of the newly established Parktown North Security Committee (PANSEC)
by offering a limited time-slot at our recent AGM, Committee members were somewhat surprised when it
transpired that this was a full-scale launch presentation.
However, the initiative of this body was welcomed especially since security is the top priority of most residents. Negotiations between the PNRA and ADT (as the dominant security firm operating in Parktown North, with an estimated 80% share of the security company business) will take place on a continuing basis.
It is felt that cost for the so-called "Pro-Active" security firms was beyond the means of many of our residents –Estimated costs are in the region of up to R1000.00 pm (R500 for patrol vehicles + R500 for response service). In addition, we understand that no private security firm has the right to stop and search, pursue over residents' walls or shoot.
The PNRA has joined forces with our sister suburb, Craighall Park , through CRAIGPARK Residents Association, to put considerable pressure on ADT in terms of delivery.  Current operations and major new concessions were agreed upon in a meeting held on the 3rd of April between the PNRA, Mike Kidson (Head of Community Security Services) and Tinus Swanepoel, ADTCommunity Security Manager of ADT. These include:
- Two dedicated vehicles (one response vehicle and one Patrol vehicle)
- The recent addition of a 4X4 Proactive Patrol vehicle. This effectively means we have 3 dedicated vehicles for Parktown North proactively patrolling our suburb at any given time, rather than just responding to a signal relayed from the control centre.
Our suburb has eleven Localized Security Schemes (24hour guards)
First Avenue East [2]
2nd Avenue [2]
4th Avenue
8th Avenue
11 th Avenue [2]
12th ave
13th Avenue [2]
All these sites are supervised by ADT reaction and supervisory staff during a 24 hour period. All of the sites are in radio communication with the patrol vehicle and with each other. Guard track patrolling systems in each hut monitors the movement of each guard. Each site is linked via panic button to the control room which in turn will dispatch a response vehicle.
Task teams work closely with Parkview SAPS on special operations in and around the Parktown North suburb.
A dedicated Community Security Manager for the Parktown North Suburb will liaise with the relevant managers of each department should the need arise.
ADT have promised to mount CCTV cameras on all 13 entry and exit points in Parktown North in a pilot study to determine the effectiveness of this additional surveillance method.
The PNRA has had meetings with Chief superintendent Nanda Moodley of Parkview Police regarding facilitating close links with ADT and more particularly, having the localised security schemes in a direct link with the Parkview Police patrol vehicles – allowing ADT guards to call in the police if they see any suspicious vehicles/activity or disturbances. The crucial factor here is that the SA Police have the right to (1) stop and search, (2) pursue over walls and (3) shoot if warranted.
Negotiations to improve security are ongoing. We will monitor the situation to ensure ADT delivers as promised and continues to upgrade their services to Parktown North and Craighall Park.
|
