Central Sharonlea Residents Forum (CSRF) has enjoyed a reasonably quiet 2014, as far as crime is concerned, the forum’s chairperson Richard Shuttle said in his Christmas message.
He explained that the community-funded camera surveillance system progressed from 32 to 40 cameras.
“The major challenge the committee always faces, is to stay motivated since we are all volunteers with day jobs. The committee carries on, however, as an extremely close-knit team which is very rewarding.
“Our d6 communicator, which advises all linked electronic addresses on events and incidents, has become an invaluable community communication tool. From lost parrots to security alerts, we can advise the suburb immediately, which results in a happy ending in almost all cases.”
The biggest challenge of 2014 was again the outer perimeter of the suburb which backs onto Malibongwe and President Fouche drives. Apathy is a major contributor in getting residents to realise the crime opportunity an unprotected, poorly maintained boundary wall presents. The other big challenge was maintaining working street lights in the suburb and we encouraged the residents to report these immediately.
“Thank you to those residents who assisted us and thank you to City Power for responding to the complaints timeously. A major highlight of 2014 was the Central Sharonlea Halloween Night which was brilliantly supported again this year by at least 25 groups of parents and children. Next year, with Halloween falling on a Saturday, we are considering organising a street party to include the entire suburb.”
2015 will present new challenges for the CSRF Committee, said Shuttle. “It has become a habit of some residents to decide that the by-laws regarding outside advertising does not apply to them. Thank you to the Johannesburg Metro Illegal Advertising Squad for assisting us in clamping down on this. Also thanks to Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau in this regard.
“Residents who move into the suburb and promptly decide that the tree on the pavement does not belong there, is another challenge. Hopefully we can locate the correct council official to enforce the relevant by-law. Security-wise we hope to begin fencing our outer boundary, funds permitting,” said Shuttle.
Details: Central Sharonlea Resident’s Forum ninapieters@gmail.com or 082 312 7942.
