The Oranje-Kloof City Improvement District (OKCID) has a proud history as one of the longest operating CIDs in Cape Town. Since it was established on 15 January 2002, it has provided valuable top-up services and built partnerships to make the area more attractive and safe for local residents, businesses and visitors.
“When the OKCID started 11 years ago, our core focus was to reduce crime and grime,” says Chief Executive Marc Truss, “We’ve come a long way and over the years have become an integral part of the day-to-day operations of a modern city.”
In his report for the AGM held in November 2012, OKCID Chairman Chris Fick said that though we have to accept that crime will never disappear until the reasons for crime disappear, it can be restricted and at times eradicated. The OKCID has been able to tackle crime by working with their security service provider, Vetus Schola, in conjunction with the City’s Law Enforcement Agencies and the local police service. In addition to regular patrols both on foot and with the aid of security vehicles and dedicated Law Enforcement Officers, regular operations are held within the CID boundary and at times on the peripheral with the joint forces of neighbourhood watches, Community Police Forum members, volunteers, and other CIDs. By being vigilant and pro-active, the OKCID has made good arrests with the police and law enforcement agencies.
The OKCID also works with the local traffic department, assisting with vehicle inspection points and issuing fines for traffic violations by non-moving vehicles.
Providing a top-up service in terms of street cleaning and waste management has been another successful area of operation of the OKCID over the years. Filthy streets are not conducive to a desire for people to visit, live or work in an area and without this desire an area is doomed to stagnation, poor economic development and the resultant crime. Hence the OKCID has focused on an effective cleaning programme for the area with Essential Cleansing supported by Wasteman. In the year from July 2011 to June 2012 an average of 1610 refuse bags were collected per month in the area. This also included leaves from trees in the area that could block storm water drains.
Collaboration is very important and over the years the OKCID has become a central node with the GPCID as its other half in a strong partnership network. A recent addition to this network is ER24 to provide medical assistance where needed. Since September 2012 a medic has been on call in the area.
Making the Oranje-Kloof CID area a sought after place to live, work and play has lead the OKCID to go beyond fighting crime and grime by actively beautifying the area through upgrades such as paving and tree planting. Due to extensive construction work for MyCiti bus stations and underground cabling, less paving and tree planting than planned was completed in 2012, but Chief executive Marc Truss said it is one of the things they look forward to taking up in full force in 2013.
