Simon’s Town Community Police

Forum
P O Box 612 Simon’s Town 7995

CRIME PREVENTION
A POLICE TASK - A COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY

SIMON’S TOWN CPF SAFETY PLAN : PROJECT HOME NUMBERS

INTRODUCTION

1. Simon’s Town has grown steadily over the last decade with new housing
developments spreading north and south as well as up the mountain. From personal
experience as well as reports from the SA Police and various emergency services,
finding individual addresses is extremely difficult, especially at night. This can and
does cause delays in rendering services in emergencies and can even cost lives or
allow criminals to get away.

2. Notwithstanding bylaws which specify the requirement for all homes to have
clearly visible numbers displayed, many homes do not, knowing that these bylaws are
not enforced in Simon’s Town. Those numbers which do exist are not displayed in any
particular position and are sometimes obscured. To further complicate the matter,
these numbers are seldom visible at night, unless illuminated by a torch (some areas
also have no street lighting), further delaying reaction.

AIM

3. The aim of this project is to implement a standard home number system for
Simon’s Town which will be visible by day or night from a vehicle without being
detrimental to the aesthetic or historic appearance of the town.

THE BASIC SYSTEM

4. In order to meet this aim, the following have been identified as basic
requirements:

a. The numbers must be of standard size (min 60mm high) and basic
readable font.

b. The number should be white/silver on a neutral but dark background.

Chairman: Arné Söderlund . Vice Chairman: Mel Wainwright

Treasurer: Roy Burnie . Public Relations: John Stirrup . Special Projects: Dave Bruce . Technicial: Eric Mawhinney
 c. The number should be reflective and visible from at least 25m both day
and night.

d. The numbers should be on a single plate and not attractive for recycling.

e. The plate should be affixed in such a way that it cannot be easily removed
or accidently knocked off.

f. The plate should be fixed in a standard position on each property and

clearly indicate the correct entrance.

g. The plate should be fixed in a position that is not obscured by

undergrowth or parked vehicles.

5. In order to ensure common standards in both the product and mounting, it is

proposed that a single contractor be identified to provide and affix all numbers rather
than expect individuals to comply. The process should be simple and convenient for
all home owners, as well as affordable.

6. The CPF has thus identified the ‘IDENTI-NEED’ reflective house numbers as
meeting all the above requirements. This system uses blue galvanized plates of
approximately 100 mm x 80 mm (double digit size plates) with figures of 65 mm
height in reflective white. These are fixed to the street curb at the driveway to each
home on the side which covers the longest home frontage. The numbers are on a
single plate and fitted by the contractor with a special adhesive and are guaranteed
for 10 years.

7. The cost per unit is fixed at R50 per plate up to four digits e.g. 107A. This
includes the fitting of the plate. With some 5-6 000 residences in Simon’s Town, the
total cost for all homes would be R250 000. This is well beyond the resources of any
civic or community organisation and is actually the responsibility of residents
themselves.

SUPPORTING SYSTEM

8. A further complication when looking for an address occurs at street

intersections. Although not normally a major problem, in the case of emergencies
such as fire or medical when seconds can count, it can be critical to know whether to
turn left or right to a specific house number. It has thus been proposed that reflective
plates with number range and a direction arrow be fitted on the corners of such main
intersections.

9. As there is no specific municipal requirement or responsible person or

organisation for funding these plates, funding will have to be raised or sought to
complete this important proposal. It should be noted that this proposal will have
value, even if the individual numbers are not implemented, and will assist emergency
vehicles. An initial investigation has revealed 17 such intersections along approach
Chairman: Arné Söderlund . Vice Chairman: Mel Wainwright
Treasurer: Roy Burnie . Public Relations: John Stirrup . Special Projects: Dave Bruce . Technicial: Eric Mawhinney
routes off the main roads likely to be used. It is possible that one or two others may
exist. Thus the projected cost is estimated as R3 000 (20 x R150 a pair).

IMPLEMENTATION

10. It is proposed to market the project through the local press, the STCA and all
Simon’s Town associations and societies as well as the Neighbourhood Watches.
Every effort will be made to convince all residents to order the plates. NHW co-
ordinators will be asked to register orders in their immediate neighbourhood and
accept payment. This will necessitate canvassing all homes in addition to email
requests as ALL residents must be reached to make this effective as a community
project. When 20 orders are reached, they will be submitted at the Police Station in
Simon’s Town and the plates will be fitted.

11. It can be accepted that many residents will object to or just not bother to fit
numbers, irrespective of the logic or benefits. This will, however, not negate the
overall benefits if sufficient ‘good citizens’ along the road have them fitted, at least
indicating the number progress along the route.

12. In addition to NHW co-ordinators taking orders, a list will be held at the Police
Station where orders and payment can be made. It is intended to actively market and
hard-sell this concept to all home owners on a continual basis. Hopefully, the
emergency services, municipal and private, can assist in marketing the concept,
which is to their benefit, saving both time and fuel. A poster campaign using
community offices and facilities such as the library will also need to be undertaken.

13. Implementation of the supporting concept of number vindicators at

intersections will be implemented in parallel by the CPF as funds become available.
Hopefully a single source can be identified to ‘sponsor’ this specific requirement,
possibly a council grant as it provides an improved service for all sectors.

14. It is hoped to commence implementation before the end of August 2009 with
the fitting of individual plates. The intersection indicators will be implemented as
funding is sourced according to priority plans. It is intended that this project be
conducted in conjunction with the Simon’s Town Civic Association. The CPF will
administer and control implementation.

(A.G. Söderlund) …..………………….. SIMON’S

TOWN
CHAIRMAN : SMST CPF

This project is approved in principle pending the availability of funding for the
implementation of the supporting sub-project for intersection indicator plates.
Chairman: Arné Söderlund . Vice Chairman: Mel Wainwright
Treasurer: Roy Burnie . Public Relations: John Stirrup . Special Projects: Dave Bruce . Technicial: Eric Mawhinney
(Capt Cesley Olivier) (Aldm Nicki Holderness) (Dr Lesley
Shackleton)
STATION COMM : SAPS SMST WARD COUNCILOR : SMST CHAIRMAN :
STCA

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SIMON’S TOWN SIMON’S TOWN SIMON’S TOWN

Chairman: Arné Söderlund . Vice Chairman: Mel Wainwright

Treasurer: Roy Burnie . Public Relations: John Stirrup . Special Projects: Dave Bruce . Technicial: Eric Mawhinney