Police Action at Klapperkop 28-7-2015, help required.

[Th3voic3]

Please provide your contact info: Know some people that want to assist...

 

Please also make contact with Bruce Reyneke, I have emailed the post to him and he is distributing this to the club to see if there might be someone from the club interested. 

 

bruce@bruces.co.za or try the shop tell.

[River Rat]

Update

 

Met with Trish Scheepers of the Monument Park Community Policing Forum, they are based in a container donated by Spar at the Monument Park Shopping centre. The CPF is a section 21 company funded by donations from the community Trish is a full time paid employee. They are assisted by High Risk Security who are giving their services free of charge as part of their contribution. The CPF has been asked by the community to do something about the security at Klapperkop and hence the planned operation. For some strange reason  Klapperkop is under the jurisdiction of Monument Park CPF but it is served by a different police station to the one the CPF is aligned with, so there is a possibility of a communication problem. 

 

My thoughts so far are that the safety concerns in respect of Klapperkop are starting to make the area a no go area for many people who would like to use the area be it for cycling, running, hiking or just sightseeing. My family are already talking about changing their training routes to avoid the known hot spots and a number of people have mentioned to me that they regrettably have decided to avoid Klapperkop in total. Although this number is quite small it is growing and each incident lends credence to this line of thinking. Whilst I can understand the sentiment we have to consider the impact of declining numbers of Klapperkop patrons, the safety in numbers impact diminishes with each person that decides to avoid the area. Eventually, the area will only be used in peak times but even this will wane and the area will become the domain of the criminals and lost to us, maybe forever.

 

So what do we do about it?  It is very encouraging to find that there are a number of people and organisations that are trying to address the issue but they are totally unaware of each other and as such are operating in an uncoordinated way, spreading the available resources so thin that it does not have the desired affect. So a  common communication platform will go a long way to address this issue, it will also address  another burning issue in that we have to reverse the trend in declining numbers. The latter is perhaps not so simple as we are dealing with the hearts and minds of people, who quite rightly perceive their lives to be at risk. They need to feel that they are not only aware of the facts but also of what is being done about it and most importantly that they can contribute towards making Klapperkop a safer place.

 

It is also clear that Klapperkop is currently under the spotlight from a policing perspective but I must emphasise the word currently. I have no doubt that thebroader security needs of the Tshwane community will change this in time so we have to find a way of keeping Klapperkop and the safety concerns of it's patrons uppermost in the minds of the police. So we have to find ways of engaging  with the police and to support the current police action as well as any future activities. The police have to feel that the Klapperkop community ( I use this term loosely as we are quite disparate bunch) is behind them and have an obligation beyond the call of duty to look after us. Our first opportunity is this Sunday at 14:00 meet at 184 Orion Street, Waterkloof Ridge for a briefing and walkthrough of Klapperkop, organised by the CPF.  

 

So here is the simplified version of a plan.

 

1. Use the CPF as the conduit for all safety and security activities or information. Trish has agreed to set up Whatsapp group for this, just WhatsApp her on 0721362911 to be included in the Klapperkop Safety Group..

2. Try and bring all the initiatives together, this my main focus as I'm making contact with the Mayor, The Ward Councillor, Friends of Groenkloof, the Brooklyn CPF and a number of private initiatives. Let me know if there are initiatives out there that I need to know about.

3. We need to get to know the officers that patrol Klapperkop and create a rapport with them. So next time you a see an police van patrolling in Klapperkop take the time to chat to them and perhaps a cold drink or two would not be a bad idea. We will try and do something in a more formal way targeting the 21st as an opportunity to do so.

4. Once we have met all the parties involved we need to get a few ideas of how we can assist so expect this list to grow. For now watch the Whatsapp Group and if possible be present on Sunday and the 21st to show your support.

 

I have no doubt that if we put our backs into this we can reverse the trend and make sure that Klapperkop does not fall into the hands of criminals. I acknowledge that it is early days and some of the actions might feel superficial but we have a start and what it needs now is momentum so please get behind these initiatives.  

[VicanZA]

I hope u packing heat, dont wanna miss out on the good old SANI2C reports.

 

rustystarfish out.

[dirtrider]

Wow Rat you have really done a lot in a very short time   . I will join the Whatsup group but will miss this sundays meeting .

[Pall Catt]

I will gladly support any initiative to keep Klapperkop alive. I'm unfortunately not here this weekend but have signed up for the whatsapp group and will help out where I can.

[Joe Low]

Bud clearly you don't know Talus! Read his post properly nothing was meant in a joke, if he says he will help he does, but then again this is The Hub and people read what they want!

 

Will be more vigilant while cycling there early in the morning

 

Clearly you don't know me, I was applauding him.

 

Did my share of neighbourhood watch in Malawi that involved picking the cops up and driving them round all night.

 

Coke and pies was part of that deal too.

 

African solutions to African problems.........

 

.......bud

[River Rat]

Okay enough with the pie throwing  .

 

One initiative discussed this morning was whether we could monitor the hot spots with CCTV cameras manned by the CPF or even High Risk. Anybody have an idea of what we should budget for including mast and solar panel?

[River Rat]

For those of you not yet on the WhatsApp group Sunday's operation is to start at The Monument Park Shopping centre and not Orion Street due to numbers. Still at 14:00 and my suggestion is that if you are a MTBiker is to bring your bike as it will give us more mobility in the park when we proceed through it.

 

I appeal to all of you to recognise that this is an important first step to not only show a presence in Klapperkop but to also send a message to the authorities that we want to see some action. Remember politicians are driven by numbers so we need as many of you to attend as  possible. 

 

WhatsApp Trish on 0721362911 to join the Fort Klapperkop Safety group so that you can be informed as to what's happening in our area.

[River Rat]

Update

 

Looks like the we have 25 people signed up to the Fort Klapperkop Safety WhatsApp group and growing. Friends of Groenkloof have also inidicated their support of our initiative and this is significant as they have spent R50k on trails and R500k on fencing in Klapperkop. Numerous Cycling and Running clubs have also pledged their support. So on the face of it we are making steady progress in terms of verbal support and what we need now is to translate this to a physical presence on the ground this means we need your attendance tomorrow so please make the effort and be there. Bring your running shoes, hiking boots or bike.

 

As for my expectations for tomorrow we may or may not find any potential perpetrators this is left to chance, but we should get a better understanding of where their hiding places are. Depending on the numbers we will send a message about our concerns to the relevant authorities and this will give this initiative impetus and hopefully get others to join us. At the very least we get to Run, Ride or Hike in the reserve not the worst outcome.

 

Time : 2nd August 2015, 14:00

Venue : Monument Park Shopping, Skilpad Road , Monument Park

[River Rat]

http://www.facebook.com/FriendsofGroenkloofNatureReserve

 

If you want to know what they do.

[Real Steel]

I am a regular rider there, and would love to train there on my own and not just in groups of 3 or more, I am in as well. Keep us posted.

[River Rat]

So it's been almost a month since this initiative started and it's time to reflect where we are.

 

I'll start with the successes, our first ops produced immediate results in that we arrested the alleged assailant of a young mother and her children. Calls for information on social media has contributed to the accused being linked to no less than 28 crimes in the general area, it is pleasing to know that he remains behind bars. The user community have responded well to the call to continue using the reserve but to try and do so in groups to ensure safety in numbers. The Whatsapp group is proving to be quite effective in getting cyclists and runners coordinating their activities and to be clear the intention is to try and be in the area at the same time but not to necessarily ride or run together although this would be ideal but not practical . What is also noticeable is that the police have stepped up patrols in the area and I can confirm that there are at least 3 patrols per day including at night. Further, since our first op we have conducted a number of searches of the reserve including assisting the Sunnyside police on Friday as well a tracking exercise on Sunday. Although no suspects were found these searches provided valuable information , but the real success of these operations is creating a very visible impression that the area is being patrolled.

 

So what's not going so well? Two night time attacks would suggest that criminals might have changed their modus operandi, but it's too early to tell. Both attacks occurred  after 22:00 at the Radio Tower lookout point and the same assailant seems to be involved. So our current communication strategy is not reaching all the users of the reserve. To make this point the CPF members who responded to the vicious attack on Saturday night encountered the following people using the reserve around midnight. Two very pretty young women on their own decided to come and enjoy the view and discuss the trials and tribulations in their respective lives. A grandmother, babysitting her grandchildren loaded them into her Audi Q7 to show them the city lights at night and a young guy decided to bring his girlfriend to the viewpoint to enjoy a bottle of champagne. The latter was quite enterprising when he said to the CPF guy's "Well with all you chaps around we should be safe" he then parked in a secluded spot and they continued with their activities. Clearly all of these people were oblivious to the risks they were taking let alone the stabbing that took place only hours earlier.

 

The raid on Friday also revealed some cracks in the system as questions were raised as to who's op it was and were the correct CPF's leading it. It is also emerging that the criminals operating in Klapperkop might also be involved in the attacks that occurred in Groenkloof, Fountains and the Voortrekker monument. The fact that these areas straddle more that one Police jurisdiction and a number of CPFs means that this needs to be coordinated to ensure that we have a far more effective response in dealing with safety in the area. To address the latter we have arranged a meeting, to be held at the Waterkloof Golf Clubhouse at 18:00 on Thursday 27 August, between the effected CPFs, Home Owners Associations, Friends of Groenkloof Nature Reserve and the members of the Cycling / Running community.

 

As for the last grouping I would like to share my experiences regarding the CPFs, these forums are made up of ordinary community members who volunteer their time and often own resources to work towards making our communities safer. These are dedicated people for whom their only reward is knowing they are making a difference. I have noticed that since the initiative started that the members of Brooklyn Sector 4 CPF have a noticeable spring in their step and they acknowledge that the community involvement is huge motivator for them. Now, I'm not a member of the CPF but knowing that even my presence and support of those trying to make a difference will keep them motivated means I'll be there, hopefully you'll join me.

 

To close off we have the following initiatives in the pipeline:

1. Visible MTB and runner patrols.

2. Signage to inform users of the risks as well as the CPF contacts.

3. CCTV cameras at viewpoint 1 and the Radio tower.

 

The last two initiatives need funding and we will be starting the fundraising initiatives soon using the Friends of Groenkloof (a section 21 company) as the platform. If you can't be present or involved a simple donation can be your contribution. 

[MaxUmis]

Thank you for your effort River Rat.

[River Rat]

Meet Rose and her horse Time with Seabelo and Rocco at viewpoint 1 in Klapperkop as they prepare to patrol the reserve. They hope to do this on a regular basis

[River Rat]

Klapperkop Patrols

Rose and Time were accompanied today by Warrant Officer Richard Lourens on Fulbert patrolling the trails in Klapperkop reserve. Richard is quite keen to get into Mountain Biking and has a nice Ghost MTB but is desperately looking for a group to ride with in the Donkerhoek area. If anyone from the area is keen to take him under their wing and get him into Mountain Biking inbox me.

Further I am trying to entice him into riding Groenkloof and Klapperkop reserves  but to do this he needs a bike rack for a Hyundai i10 so that he can load his bike, anyone prepared to make a donation?

On another note there where 3 policeman on motorbikes also patrolling the trails. These guys are also doing undercover work in the area hence no photos or names. Today was a safe day on Klapperkop trails!

[NicoBoshoff]

Very cool!