Panorama Residents Association resurrected

It cannot be disputed that a suburb with an active residents association results in a reduction in crime. Chairperson of the Panorama Residents Association (PRA) Jon Rosenberg said he is taking a stand and wants the RA to once again be active in the area.

Rosenberg attributes the RA’s inactivity to resistance and unwillingness on the part of residents.

“The RA was initially started as a result of crime in our area. We used to do our own patrols to have extra ‘eyes’ on the road.” Since the PRA’s inception, Rosenberg has been an active committee member and in November last year was elected as chairperson.

As well as security, the RA concentrates on other matters like the beautification of the suburb and service delivery. “We cleaned the ‘koppie’ at the intersection of Albert & Lemoendoring Streets last year,” said Rosenberg.

Rosenberg has served as a ward committee member for Ward 89 for a number of years, and since taking over the RA, has been attending Sector 2 and CPF meetings on a regular basis. His involvement in these various entities ensures healthy communication channels with the City Council, the Honeydew SAPS and the CPF. Meetings and channels are a constant source of information fed back to residents, keeping them abreast of happenings in the area.

Rosenberg has great plans going forward. “A board stating that a household is a member will be exhibited on the property, and this will serve to encourage others to join, as well as showing the criminal element that there is an active RA in the area.” In addition, discussions are in place to reinstate patrols.

The RA covers a fairly large area, and has been divided into five manageable sub-areas, headed by a team leader who reports to Rosenberg. At the moment there are three team leaders and two more are still needed to cover the outstanding areas.

Details: Jon Rosenberg 082 450 2305