Is it possible to make a precinct completely crime-free?
Bill Rawson, Chairman of Rawson Properties, has added his voice to others who have spoken out on this subject and who increasingly believe that total crime prevention is not just a pipe dream, it can be achieved.
'There is growing evidence,' said Rawson, 'that if the leaders of a community really apply their minds to crime prevention, it is possible to make an area exceptionally safe. It is usually just a matter of will and, of course, of being prepared to spend more money'
A case in point, says Rawson, could be the Village Cross business area in Newlands. This includes the Cardiff Castle complex that houses such popular restaurants and delicatessens such as Barristers Grill and Melissas Food, as well as such up-market shops such as The Rose Caf, Wine Concepts, Organic Meat Company, Sanctuary Health Spa and X-Body Fitness. The area also houses the office of Rawsons Newlands franchise which gives Rawson a double interest in the area, as his group is both a landlord and a tenant here.
'For a long time,' said Rawson, 'this has been an area with a very low crime incidence '“ and we are determined to keep it that way. The arrival in the area of a new resident from Johannesburg, architect, Karen Newman (who has security expertise) has led to the community leaders coming together and a decision being taken to double up the ADT patrol force. In addition, a rigorous 24-hour surveillance system and an even faster armed resistance service have been instituted.
'These and other measures,' says Rawson, 'could help make Cardiff Castle and its surroundings one of the safest precincts in the country.
'Capetonians,' Rawson commented, 'have been slower than their counterparts in South Africas other larger cities to increase security at commercial centres but we hope that what we are doing at Newlands will inspire others, once the results become evident, to take security more seriously and spend time and cash to tightening up and expand existing systems. We believe that the positive spin-offs of this initiative at Newlands will show that the efforts are very definitely worthwhile and will promote a safe shopping experience, something all consumers want'
