1. THE OBSERVATORY CIVIC ASSOCIATION

The OCA has been in existence for ……. years. It’s function is to liaise with our local Ward 57 Councillor and with the City Council and to represent the interests of residents and business in Obs. The OCA is also represented on the Ward Forum for Ward 57, and has the right to send a representative to attend meetings of the Good Hope Sub-Council. It holds regular meeting at the Observatory Community Centre on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.., and residents who are members are welcome to attend and raise concerns. The current Chairperson is Bovain Macnab (bmacnab@mweb.co.za) and the Secretary is Debra West (africandebs@telkomsa.net).  Our Ward 57 Councillor is Cedric Thomas (Cedricreginald.thomas@capetown.gov.za) and our Proportional Representation Councillor is Paddy Chappell (padanjos@iafrica.com).

The ONW committee has a number of portfolios, some of which are currently filled: Neighourhood Security and ONW (David Raphael), Social Issues (Rob Gaylard), Development, Urban Conservation, etc. (Trevor Lea), Greening, Environment, etc. (Trevor Hughes), Obs Business Forum (Andrew Fife), CID (Kris Marais).

Membership fees are R30 for individuals and R300 for businesses.

2. THE OBSERVATORY BUSINESS FORUM

The OBF (or the ‘Village Business Forum’ as they prefer to be called) represents businesses situated in the central business and restaurant area of Obs, as well as backpackers or guesthouses in the area. One of their main aims is to ensure that this part of Obs (which attracts thousands of visitors over weekends) is kept safe, clean and attractive. The OBF is in fact a subcommittee of the OCA, and to join businesses need to pay the OCA business membership fee of R300. However, the OBF runs its own meetings, has its own AGM, and also has its own account. It is heavily involved in planning for the annual Obs Festival, held in December every year. Its current Chairperson is Andrew Fife, owner of A Touch of Madness (andrew@cafeatom.co.za) . They meet regularly on the first Tuesday of every month at Babbo’s (formerly Diva’s) at 10 a.m.

3. OBSERVATORY COMMUNITY CENTRE

The Observatory Community Centre is situated in the centre of Obs, and run by an Executive Committee chaired by Isla Haddow-Flood (isla@limewrite.co.za) .  The Community Center was originally the Observatory Girls School, and was designed by the Architect John Parker in 1902. The hall and rooms in the Centre are hired to various groups and organizations who use the Centre on a regular basis. The Centre also hosts the Holistic Fair on the first Sunday of each month. A website has been set up to give information about activities at the centre (e.g. recycling) and to help promote community organizations working in Obs (e.g. the ONW, the OCA). Information can be obtained from the Heart of Obs website: http://www.heartofobs.co.za/ The City Council is in the process of handing over the management of the Centre to the Executive Committee.

4. OBSERVATORY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

ONW was launched as a result of an initiative by David Raphael and Brian Gray. Initial meetings  were held on February 2007, and ONW was finally launched at a public meeting on 23 October where a constitution and code of conduct were adopted and a committee elected (with David Raphael as Chair). To join ONW you need to complete and Membership Form and an  Indemnity Form (available online at http://www.heartofobs.co.za/ or from David Raphael (draphael@iafrica.com) or Rob Gaylard (robmiki@mweb.co.za) or from your street leader. Information about the crime and ONW activity can also be accessed from the ONW google group. If you go to http://groups.google.com/group/obsnw  you can sign in and apply for membership of the google group (this is automatically granted). Regular monthly committee meetings are normally held on the third Tuesday of every month, and ONW members are welcome to attend. You should also contact your street and sector leader and raise any concerns with them. Details of street and sector leaders will be made available by David Raphael or Rob Gaylard in response to email enquiries.

   ONW is a voluntary association and membership costs nothing. It is a big step towards making Observatory a safer and more friendly place. If we share information, act collectively, and cooperate with the Woodstock Police and our Sector Manager (see below) we can all increase our levels of safety and security.

4 (a)  SECTOR POLICING

One of the benefits of the Obs Neighbourhood Watch (ONW) initiative is that as a community we are now working closely with the Woodstock Police and are able to implement Sector Policing. Sector Policing involves the police working closely with the community to understand the policing needs of a particular area.  The service area of a police station is divided into Sectors, and most of Obs falls into Sector 1 of the Woodstock Police service area. (There are three other sectors). Each sector has a Sector Commander, in our case Supt Redelinghuys, assisted by Constable Luzipo.

What are the advantages of Sector Policing?

•      It involves policing smaller, more manageable areas.

•      It contributes to community involvement; each month a Sector Meeting takes place, attended by organizations and businesses active in that sector.

•      A relationship of trust is built between the community and the police.

•      Service delivery on the part of the police is improved – quicker reaction times, visible policing, etc.

•      The Sector Commander acts as liaison between the police and the community.

What is the role of the Community?

•      Community members attend Sector meetings and provide information re. crime in their areas.

•      Community members participate in community initiatives (like the Neighbourhood Watch) and work closely with the police. This can take the form of joint patrols with the police. ONW arranges these patrols on a weekly basis. Bicycle patrols and patrols using private vehicles may also take place. Ordinary members of the community can now do something to actively reduce levels of crime in their neighbourhood.

5. CID WORKING GROUP

For the last few months a working group has been meeting to explore the possibility setting up a CID (City Improvement District) in Observatory. This is has been done successfully in other areas (e.g. the Cape Town CBD, Woodstock, Athlone) and is the most effective way of upgrading Observatory and ensuring that its cleaning and security needs are met. A CID is a non-profit company representing property owners (ratepayers) in  particular area. A CID levy is collected from ratepayers over and above the normal rates charges, and this money is used to ‘top up’ services (such as security and cleansing). The provisional Business Plan has been worked out, and the group is gathering information on rateable property in Obs, with the assistance of Runan Rossouw of the City Council. An application to set up a CID must have the written approval of at least 25% of the owners of rateable property in the area, and they must represent 25% of the rates-based value of properties in the area. After approval by Council, the CID has six months in which to obtain the written approval of 50% of all property owners and at least 50% of the rates base. When this has been done a Section 21 Company is set up to run the CID. The process is being driven by Tanya Olivier (who helped set up the Woodstock CID) (wid@iburst.co.za)  and Kris Marais (dreamsnake@yebo.co.za) , with assistance from David Raphael and other members of the working group. Residents and property owners in Obs who are willing to assist are asked to contact Tanya or Kris.