Crestholme Blue Zone
Welcome to the Crestholme blue zone
My best guess is that you are on this page to discover more about the how’s, why’s, whereabouts and who’s of the Crestholme neighbourhood watch, more commonly known as Crestwatch. More importantly, you’re probably wanting to know what the benefits are of being a part of the Blue Zone. Rest assured, you have reached your information destination!
Have you been a part of the project since day one or are you a new member to the crew? Either way, this page will provide you with a run down of how and why Crestwatch came into existence and inform you of the endless benefits that project members have access to.
Why and where was Crestwatch initiated?
Crestwatch has been operating for more than 10 years as a crime-fighting organisation. With the widespread open bush and lush vegetation surrounding Crestholme, the team’s main focus has been in open-space management in the nearby surroundings to minimise the negative impact that crime has in the area. While the dense shrubbery around Crestholme adds to the country feel of the Upper-Highway area, it unfortunately also brings its own set of challenges to Crestholme residents.
How was Crestwatch initiated?
It all began with proactive crime concerned Crestholme residents deciding that there was more that could be done to keep their neighbourhood safe. After making the decision to do more to keep criminals out of the area, a committee was formed.
Almost instantaneously members of the committee started approaching various security companies to find out what residents in the Crestholme area could do to reduce criminal attacks in the neighbourhood.
After meticulously analysing each security company’s proposal, it was decided to accept Blue Security’s proposal for an armed response dedicated vehicle that would respond to a smaller mapped out footprint.
After the dedicated vehicle was launched and the agreed upon number of project members were reached, within a matter of time the Crestwatch committee realised that having an additional safety resource on the ground definitely did have a positive effect on minimising crime and making Crestwatch project members feel safer.
Challenges that every Crestholme resident faces
- Inanda Road is a quick and convenient escape route for criminals to flee the scene after committing a crime to run off into the various townships close by or onto a road leading all the way down to Wyebank and eventually into Clermont (Clermont is a notorious haven where criminals hide out).
- Criminals using the vast expanses of bush to enter the neighbourhood, rob houses and easily escape back through the bushes.
A dedicated vehicle and Community Policing Officer were launched in the area in 2012 and have roamed the roads day in and day out to keep residents safer ever since.
Currently 287 members can see the safety benefits of having a dedicated vehicle and CPO patrolling their specified footprint and encourage the residents of Crestholme to join the project to increase their security.
The more you think about the benefits of having a CPO patrolling an area over and above an Armed Response Officer, the more benefits come to mind.
How Crestwatch members benefit from the dedicated vehicle that helps overcome these challenges
- A vehicle that never leaves the designated footprint ensuring faster response times
- A dedicated project management team to assist with your queries
- Alarm signals which link directly to the dedicated vehicle
- Direct cell phone communication with the project vehicle for rendezvous meet-and-assist services
- The Crestwatch Committee meets regularly with Blue Security to explore security initiatives in order to create a neighbourhood that is geared towards fighting crime effectively
- 2 Free Blue Mobile Panic Apps per subscribed household
Wouldn’t you feel safer having these benefits? Think about the worry and angst that would be lifted off of your shoulders knowing that if you’re feeling uncomfortable driving home from work that you could call the CPO to follow you home. How comforting would it be to know that just by dialing the number of the CPO he can follow you from a specific point that you decide on and make sure that you get home and into your house safe and sound?
There is no doubt that Crestholme residents can see the endless value in being a part of the project to reap the rewards of the dedicated CPO on the street looking after members all day everyday.
Who are the main points of contact for Crestwatch?
Committee members
Richard Hipkin – Chairperson
Clinton Bataille – Head of reaction
Debbie Forest – Emergency cellphone
Blue Security Crestwatch project manager
Sheldon Locke – 074 618 9996
Community Policing Officer
If you are a project member that would like to store the CPO’s direct contact number in your cellphone, please contact the Crestwatch project manager Keith du Randt for the CPO’s contact details.
It is safe to say that there is still room for growth within the Crestholme Blue Zone. Whether you yourself are looking to sign up as a member of the project or if you are already a member of the project and would like to refer a friend, fill in the below form to expand your circle of safety.