Heather Park

Dear Heather Park Residents and Members of the Heather Park Neighbourhood Watch,

Once again the Festive Season is upon us. At the AGM on 24 November 2025, office bearers for the HPNW Executive Committee 2026 were confirmed:

                           Chairperson                          André de Waal

                               Vice-chairperson                  Ben de Villiers

                               Ops co-ordinator                  Attie de Klerk

                               Treasurer/Liaison Officer     Riana Smalberger

                               Secretary                               Gill de Waal

                                  Other (Fundraising)             Annemarie Tossel

Our thanks to our dedicated patrollers, camera over-watchers, the voluntary camera installation team (camera installations 1^st half of 2025) and Fidelity ADT (camera installations 2^nd half of 2025) for their hard work over the past year, and to SAPS, CPF and the Security Companies serving Heather Park, for their ongoing support and assistance.

In 2026 we look forward to stimulating growth in membership and active participants, particularly patrollers, and to achieving further success for HPNW. We want to thank you, the Members, who so loyally support the Neighbourhood Watch throughout the year. We have a limited number of dedicated regular attendees at meetings, and encourage all residents to become involved for the purpose of maintaining and improving security in our suburb/community. To those of you who cannot attend meetings but are involved through your kind donations and offers of help when needed, a very big THANK YOU!

The Festive Season unfortunately provides many opportunities for criminals. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for this extended holiday period:

RESIDENCES:

If you are taking annual vacation away from home:

DO:

• Ensure that all windows, external doors and security gates are locked
• Secure valuables like jewellery, cameras, laptops etc in a safe
• Activate your alarm, ensuring that the battery is charged and in good working order
• Leave an outside light on, preferably timer-operated
• Give your house keys to a neighbour or friend. Ask them to check your home regularly, switching lights on at night and off in the morning.
• Inform HPNW / Security company that you will be away and leave a contact no in

case of emergency. HPNW contact No: André de Waal 073 204 2034.

• Remember to make adequate provision for your pets.

DON’T:

• Place refuse bags on the pavement between collection days – this indicates that the residence is vacant
• Leave residences in complete darkness for extended periods of time

VEHICLES:

Vehicle theft and theft of items out of vehicles are becoming more prevalent. Wherever you are located during the festive season, please be vigilante when driving, or parking in public areas:

DON’T:

• Leave any items (valuables, groceries, etc) visible in your vehicle on the passenger/back seat.
• Assume that your vehicle is locked when you lock with the remote

DO:

• Double-check that your vehicle is locked before you leave it, as “car-jammers” could jam the remote signal, providing them access to your vehicle after you leave

CYBER-CRIME:

DON’T:

• Assume that all on-line retailers are reputable and secure – often funds for online purchases are simply “lost” in cyber space
• Respond to any telephonic/online interventions purportedly from your bank, always check with your branch

DO:

• Be alert at ATM’s for scammers who secure PIN numbers, steal and clone cards
• If you are a victim of any scam, report it as a matter of extreme urgency to your bank to prevent/limit the withdrawal of funds

We wish you all a peaceful and relaxing Festive Season, and a prosperous 2026.

Your 2025 HPNW Executive Committee