Not just a community but a family
Sunninghill Gardens has been operational for a period of eleven years and is a good example of what can be achieved by a community rallying together to not only decrease the risk of crime but improve our area as a whole.
Our Security is one of the best in the Sandton area. We consist of approximately 170 Houses and 16 cluster complexes and yet we experience an average of between zero and 1 housebreaking per month.
We initially started by erecting access-monitoring points to help with the life threatening crimes of armed robberies and hi-jackings. This was very successful and we then moved on to obtaining a dedicated armed reaction vehicle.
We still did not stop there, the residents once again got together, held fund raising community get togethers and we raised enough money to palisade off all vacant land on our perimeters, this way all vehicles and pedestrians have to enter through the access monitoring points.
We installed state of the art CCTV surveillance cameras at both booms, this has proved very successful.
The Homeowners Association installed traffic calming measures to reduce speeding in the area, this has been a great success as not only is it safer on our roads but we have reduced the number of vehicles taking short cuts through our area.
In addition to all the above we also have a gardening sub-committee which is tasked with looking after and beautifying the two entrances and the main park off Lingerette/Kitui/Kisumu and Dukana roads as well as the small park at the Tudor Road entrance . The main park has been landscaped and has two cycle tracks for children to ride their cycles on, namely a large 500m one and a small 50m one for younger children.
At our AGM in July of 2003 the residents of Sunninghill Gardens voted in favour of installing streetlights in the area. City Power made, what we believe to be a very favourable offer that warranted serious consideration by members. The offer was accepted by the residents at an extraordinary meeting. The project was completed by at the end of October 2003.
In addition to the above, Sunninghill Gardens has installed paving along the main route through Sunninghill Gardens. This paving is frequently used by residents walking, jogging and children riding their bicycles.
In May of 2007, Savika Armed Response became the official security service provider for Sunninghill Gardens. We have moved away from reactive security to a new pro-active policing security. The aim is to stop the crime before it is committed. This is done by a clearly identified Sunninghill Gardens patrol vehicle that performs a stop and question function while patrolling. Because of the way the payment to our security provider is structured members of the SGHA may link their alarms to this vehicle for as little as R125pm. The new security initiative has been operational few just a few months and already we have noticed a vast improvement in our security.
All the above has also had other spin-offs, the main one being the wonderful sense of security and well being in the area. Anyone travelling through Sunninghill Gardens (especially over the weekend) will see children riding their bicycles, joggers and residents going for walks, which you do not see anywhere else. We have a 100% happy community.
" And there is more e.g. Reduced insurance rates for those who are interested, social community get togethers such as, Oktoberfests, fun walks, Carnival Days and an annual visit by Santa Clause. What we have achieved in the area it seems has also put a premium on properties, with few houses being sold, residents are investing in their existing homes by adding on and improving their properties rather than selling.
" We are proud to say that we have in excess of 97% membership.
" Should you have any questions or queries, please contact LINDA GILDENHUYS from the SUNNINGHILL GARDENS HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION on 807-7191 or e-mail her at: sungard@worldonline.co.za