About us
The purpose of the OH Watch is to serve as a neighbourhood watch, to create public awareness in terms of community safety, crime prevention and protection of property, to manage and co-ordinate crime prevention initiatives and to discourage crime in the area, to unite community in creating a stable and crime free environment and to nurture a sense of unity and good neighbourly relations among residents of the area.
OH Watch works in partnership with the local police services (“SAPS”), law enforcement officers and other security role players such as Watchcom, ADT, CBAR, etc. The watch provides a channel through which residents can play a meaningful role in crime prevention in the area.
The catchment area for the OH Watch is as follows:
Why join OH Watch?
Joining OH Watch connects you with a community of local residents who care about the safety and security of each other and the neighbourhood as a whole.Membership gives you access to our private, location-based WhatsApp groups, where crime information is relayed between our official communication channels and your observant neighbours.
The Watchcom control room (a security hub for the City Bowl sponsored by Fidelity ADT and Remax), as well as several SAPS, Law Enforcement and emergency medical personnel are members of these WhatsApp groups.
WhatsApp Group
We have divided OH Watch catchment area into six sectors, indicated on the map above. Your address will determine the WhatsApp group to which you will be added. The purpose of these groups is to:
- Call for assistance in the event of a security incident taking place (note that these groups do not replace SAPS or your private security company, who should be your first call *)
- Warn the community, Watchcom and armed response of suspicious or unusual behaviour or incidents
- Share all things relevant to the safety of the community
- Share relevant crime information with the community
If you want to get more involved in our response to incidents, you may request to be added to more groups.
Click here to view the rules of the WhatsApp groups.
Exco Committee
Ronel van Dijk
Interim Chairperson
Ronel is the interim EXCO Chair and the Treasurer for the OH Watch. She is a qualified chartered accountant, CA(SA), and serves on the boards of two JSE-listed companies and one large private company. She is experienced in financial management, project management and strategy.
Christopher Starr
Exco
Christopher Starr is a manufacturing businessperson and performance artist with a keen interest in design, linguistics, and the intersection of visual and musical arts; a firm fan of the Oxford comma. They’re thrilled to be living their Real Housewives of Oranjezicht fantasy.
Craig Symington
Exco
An IT Professional with over 25 years international experience, moved from London 8 years ago. 3 Years as CTO for a conservation organisation, oversaw the introduction of Security & Technology systems in Game Reserves.
David Spence
Exco
A passionate and community minded Scotsman who has lived in the City Bowl for the last 15 years. Now in his 13th year with RE/MAX Living in Kloof Street selling residential property. Dog, Bike & Sport lover and can often be seen round the neighbourhood with his trusted companion Harley.
Other Exco members
Jonny Levin
Darin Weitsz
Thandi Wille
OH Watch Office
Lauran – [email protected]
OH Watch is not a legal person and/or entity, but a voluntary association, functioning and/or existing purely within and/or subject to the provisions and/or the guidelines set out in the Western Cape Community Safety Act and the Western Cape Provincial Constitution and Code of Conduct for Neighbourhood Watch Structures of May 2003 (“WCCNWS”). It is a non-profit organisation (PBO number 930043602) and is run entirely by volunteers.
