August 2011 Newsletter:

RECYCLING IN OBS

Where to recycle

Glass bottles can be deposited into the Blue Glass Bottle Igloo situated outside of the Obs train station - 24/7. Cans can be brought to OBSID’s ‘cage’ under the Station Road bridge from 07:00 – 16:00. More recycling initiatives are in the works! Keep your eye on our newsletter for information as it happens

HARTLEYVALE SPORTS FIELDS

Why it does not YET look better

The Hartleyvale Sports fields have had an overhaul of the building on the inside - in the previous financial year. In the current financial year there will be repairs to the outside of the building also – improving the look of the building from the Liesbeek Parkway / Station Road junction.

GIVE RESPONSIBLY

‘Thanks, now I don’t need any money’

Helping the less fortunate is something we can all do. Helping them in the correct way is a vital – or else you can facilitate their addictive habits and in turn, early demise. Please remember that these cards do not ‘give the homeless the right to beg’ it is meant to discourage begging for money.

 Please buy a voucher for R5 or R10.

@ Obs Pick and Pay – R5 voucher for a hot lunch every weekday at HOME SPM in Shelley Road, Salt River.

@ Obs KwikSpar in Station Road - R5 voucher for hot lunches

@ Obs Library- R10 'passports' – One night’s shelter

VOLUNTEERS & INTERNS

OBSID are in need of volunteers and interns

Interns required include:  Administrative/customer service /operations & Web /CRM /Internet.

Volunteers are needed as working members of Committees - to attend monthly meetings and use their experience, knowledge and/or contacts to work on OBSID projects. Areas include:  Business Development, Arts, Sports and Culture, Communications, Safety, Finance, Projects, HR.

WALKING THE DOG

 Doggy poo bag dispensers

OBSID has constructed some ‘poo bag dispensers’. The prototypes have been rolled out on the Village green and we urge all dog walkers to make use of the bags provided and dispose of into the green bins.

GREEN BINS

More bins

OBSID have organized with City council to implement more bins around main walkways in Obs. When out and about you’ll find more convenient places to place your bag of doggy poo and other waste.

STRUBENS ROAD

Tennis Club

The tennis club is in its second year and calling for members to renew their yearly fees. Joining fee is R100 and the yearly subscription is R150. Note that new keys (and new locks) are being issued.

Vegetable Allotments

Avid veggie growers are making headway with vegetable gardens! The yearly fee is R100.

COMMENT ON OBSID

OBSID in its third year

Comment on what you think of OBSID and whether you think a noticeable difference in the community has been made!

Feedback can be emailed /posted /delivered to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. /41 Station Road.

RATES REBATES

Paying when you shouldn’t?

Several residents qualify for rates rebates from City council. On 30 August 2011 @ 11:00 Councilor Brett Herron will be addressing this at his office in the Community Centre.

OBSERVATORY FESTIVAL

Second public meeting being held

The second public meeting for the Observatory Festival – happening on the second weekend in December – will be held on 27 August 2011 @ 11:00 in the Community Centre. All residents and businesses who would like information on the festival can attend to find out how it will be run /how to get involved this year.

KEEPING SAFE

Updated SECURITY numbers

Reaction Vehicle Observatory: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .082 302 5525
Backup Vehicle 1: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 082 522 2898 (SW14)
Backup Vehicle 2: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 082 522 2785 (SW18)
Shift Officer on Duty - All hours: . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . 082 469 2522
Sector One Commander: Constable Mark Berry: . . . . . . 082 302 5436 (SW43)
DPO Liquor Licenses & Gun Registrations: Sgt Prins: .  082 469 3158
Community Service Centre Woodstock: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 021 442 3117 or 3121

Flying Squad Emergency Call Centre: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    10111
Anonymous Information SMS: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32211
Second Hand Dealers: Warrant Officer Shell: . . . . . . . . .     021 442 3121

Metro Police: Emergency & General Call Centre 24/7:  .        021 596 1999
Vetus Schola Security: Control Room: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   021 447 1066 (CD1) 

OBSID’s Safe Home service

The service is available to anyone within the OBSID borders to make use of – any time of the day. Should you feel unsafe whilst or before travelling from point A to point B in Obs, please phone Vetus Schola Public Safety for an escort.

021 – 447 -1066 Vetus Schola will be at the meeting point in front of the Tattoo Shop on Lower Main Road, for escorts from Monday to Sunday at 21:15, 23:15 & 00:15

If you require an escort at a different time of day – please phone them in advance to make arrangements. The patroller will walk behind you, or follow you with the patrol vehicle to make sure you arrive at your destination safely.

OBSID advises especially females to take advantage of this service – even when travelling in groups. Better safe than sorry!

When you see a SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERPlease phone 021- 447-1066.

Even if you’re not sure if he/she’s a criminal ‘he just looks like he’s up to no good’. This is often the way criminals are caught! Public Safety (Vetus Schola) can ask some questions and detain the suspect for SAPS if need be.

REPORTING INCIDENCES helps US keep YOU safe

No matter how big or small, please report all crimes. If you let us know we can deploy security officers to ‘hotspots’. The OBSID Safety committee analyzes the stats we get from our Public Safety, Google groups and reports to the OBSID office to identify high crime areas and address them – be it through lighting, cameras, public safety or SAPS.

SAPS are not able (allowed) to provide us with updated stats and we can only help the community when we know where the problems are. OBSID and Vetus Schola also have a ‘Rogues Gallery’ available which residents can view at our offices if they need to point out a trouble-maker.

COPPER PIPE thief caught

A ‘minor’ type of theft left several residents with spraying water-pipes! Through community teamwork and reporting OBSID, the ONW and SAPS were able to catch the copper pipe thief!

CAR BATTERIES being stolen

Car batteries are making their way out of Obs cars’ engines. If you see someone scratching under a hood – please phone VS on 021-447-1066.  If it’s the owner of the car he won’t mind you looking out for his best interest!

SCAM artists entering your house

Many reports have been received from residents who were foiled into letting a stranger into their house – and afterwards realizing items like wallets and cell phones missing.

Please be aware that these men pose as:  Eskom worker (complete with uniform), Tree Trimmer OR House-sitter for your neighbor. Please phone VS immediately – do not tell them that you know who they are! To catch them and stop them, we need residents to report and tell VS to come immediately. They have the descriptions of these perps.

Being asked for directions

There have been reports locally and in neighbouring areas of a car stopping to ask pedestrians for directions – they then rob the pedestrian. When walking at night – whether you’re a large group, male or female – please make use of the OBSID’s Safe Home service. Contact the safety office on 021-447 1066.

Be on the look-out for

The following vehicles/people have been identified in crimes – if you spot them, please phone Woodstock SAPS immediately 021 442 3117 or Constable Mark Berry -  our Obs Sector Manager at 082 3025436.

1. 1) City Golf Mk1 with a white hood CA 58802 – Battery theft
2. 2) Black VW Golf (presumably the Mk1 City Golf type) and noticed the silver hub cap – Battery theft
3. 3) White Golf MK 2 - CA 87815 – Drug dealing
4. 4) Bandana man, earrings, gypsy look – House robber /scammer
5. 5) Black male, well dressed, bold head – House robber /scammer

Also phone Vetus Schola if you are able to:  021 447 1066

For Emergencies, always call 10111 first

for the flying squad

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 OBSID: Observatory Improvement District

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41 Station road,  Observatory
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tel :  021 448 7090  fax: 086 639 4005
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