Re: [obsnw] Re: FW: Observatory Neighbourhood Watch: TO BE or NOT TO BE - Your Input Requested

[Frank Schuitemaker]

SURVIVAL OF OBSWATCH  (ONW)

Thank you for raising this important issue  James,

As I remember it the ONW was established after a spate of crime worried most residents, hot spots were around Scott Road and Oxford Road, the latter led to a "ADT Bicycle Patrol".

Active and concerned residents and ONW member like yourself, Dave Raphael, Rob Gaylard, Kris Marais and many more led to the formation of the Obsid and Obsid Public Safety (Ops) paid through a top up rate some 5 years ago.

ONW activism played a huge role in the ONW, Obsid, Obs Community Police Sub-Forum and other structures, to reduce crime.

It seems that a "false" sense of security resulted in a nearly total lack of residential support and involvement in Obs structures today and this is possibly reason of a perception of crime increase in our area.

I feel strongly that the community and ONW has a vital role to play in security and oversight of our Obsid. The radio network was put up at great effort and cost should not die, it could possibly be more widely used between security role players. Interlinked WhatsApp Street Alert groups and willing residents

If Observatory let the ONW be put to rest the price can be enormous "crime increase", and reinventing it is a long tedious process.

On 6 February 2015 at 15:04, James Cowley <james...@gmail.com> wrote:

Please can you let me know how ONW works and what is needed from me?  Is it a monthly payment that goes to you? 

In a nut shell - The ONW was established around 2008 and operated with its own radio network which was sponsored by different business companies and individuals, patrol bibs were sponsored by ADT.  Community members and business joined the ONW and performed the core activities which comprised of active radio reporting and communications with those who had private radios or ONW loaned radios, all linked with the SAPS and the subsequently, with the OBSID security provider.  Resident volunteers carried our organised patrols per a monthly schedule provided them or did impromptu patrols on foot, car scooters or bicycles by day or night. We are the eyes and ears of the community either via patrols or via the ONW Google crime reporting site and communicate that to the police and local security agents.  We consider placing a foot outside our front doors or gates as being on 'a patrol' thus we see crime or suspects, report it, retreat and observe the situation and keep 'hands-off' unless a life is threatened or as a last resort.  Membership is free upon completion of a form by residents or businesses, its run by an ONW Committee with monthly meetings to be held and has a website.  Financial support for annual radio frequency fee is often supported by the OBSID, OCA, donations, or will be sought from the DOCS or the Councillors.The ONW has been dormant for two years and unless it is 'resurrected' it will formally be 'put to rest' and be the end of the Observatory story.

Kind regards

James

--
OPS [Obsid Public Safety] - 24/7 control room
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[James Cowley]