Help Curb Crime – By Getting to Know Your Neighbour
Leaders of the community in Durban North and Umhlanga pool ideas to curb security risks and improve property values.
Security is undoubtedly one of the major concerns for residents around the country. Pooling ideas on how to curb crime and help make our homes and communities safe havens in the Durban North – Umhlanga area are three Durban North residents, and movers and shakers in the community: Ward 36 DA Councillor, Shaun Ryley, Marshall Security MD, Tyron Powell and RE/MAX Panache CEO Grant Gavin. They recently got together to discuss ways on how to control the security situation in the area – and help residents realise the importance of keeping the overall appearance and condition of their suburbs aesthetically pleasing, and ensure that vandalism isn’t allowed to get out of control.
Commented Gavin: “In today’s world, with security a major priority, residents have possibly become ‘cocooned’ behind high walls and electric fences, and I believe that if we all take the approach that somebody else will look after our community, that one day we will look back and regret not playing a more active role in securing the long term value of our biggest assets; our homes .It stands to reason that the value of property in a suburb can be seriously affected if the crime situation and general condition of that suburb deteriorates over time. One way of doing this is to start a “get to know your neighbour campaign”. You need to know who you’re living next door to, so that if there is a potential security problem, it can be nipped in the bud.”
Ryley said that initiatives like the ILoveDN Theatre Market that is being driven by Hirsch’s which is focussing on the upgrading of the Whynotte Park, behind the Durban North Swimming Pool, is something that should be encouraged and residents and businesses in areas that border other parks in the area should get together to form similar initiatives.”
All three men would like to encourage residents to contact them if they would like to go ahead with a “Know Your Neighbour” get together in their street – or park in their areas. Marshall Security’s Tyron Powell explained that in his experience, neighbourhoods that were active in organising events where residents got together on an informal basis were a lot more likely to have fewer security problems.
If you would like help in getting a “Know your neighbour” activation up and running, contact Grant on 031 572 2136, Shaun on 083 974 3500 or Tyron on 082 923 0604. Another idea? Get out your favourite muffin recipe and bake a batch for the new neighbours who moved in next door. A great way to break the ice!