Community initiatives can help make traditional suburbs safer

IN ADDITION to installing physical security, Derek Lategan, managing director of Excellerate Security Services, says homeowners should turn their attention to keeping their neighbourhoods safe.

“Community watch initiatives are an effective way of empowering and connecting community members so they can act as a connected unit and come to one another’s aid by reporting incidents.

“When used correctly, community social media pages and WhatsApp groups provide a platform for knowledge and information sharing between community members.”

Such interaction through social media platforms is also a way for residents to compensate for their stringent security measures, says Cecile Leck, area specialist in Rondebosch and Claremont for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty.

Leck says residents in many neighbourhoods are establishing Community Security Patrols.

“In the southern suburbs areas such as Lynfrae in Claremont and Rondebosch, residents have initiated substantial community spirit.”

Gerhard Kotzé, managing director of the RealNet estate agency group, says residents in traditional suburbs are “getting involved” in ratepayers’ associations, community policing forums and joint efforts to clean environments and support local charities.

“Homeowners and buyers want to be part of stronger communities in which neighbours look out for one another and where there are more opportunities for the social interactions cut off by high walls and electric fences.”

One reason many people are prepared to pay premiums to live in gated estates is that they can move security to the perimeter and live free of high walls and fences. They also get to know their neighbours.

“Clearly there is a hankering not only for a crime-free neighbourhood but more social interaction among residents.”