HISTORY of the boomed-off area:

Observatory north of the Golf Course closed off.

It started in 2000, when residents of Observatory, concerned with the safety in our suburb, initiated the plan to close off the area and have it guarded at the entrances and by a 24-hour patrol car.

In a meeting where all residents were invited, a large majority was in favour of the closure and a group of residents, initiated by Dr. Kaplan, went through great efforts to make it happen. A traffic study was conducted; street-captains went door to door to obtain information, support and money; police and emergency institutions were notified; and an application was submitted to the Council.

The Council however did not process the application, as it was preparing a policy on road closures. At the end of 2001 residents became impatient and after a general meeting we decided to erect fences awaiting the approval of the Council. In the mean time a series of incidents in the beginning of 2002 led to the erection of booms and the appointment of “Outlawz” Security to guard them.

Since March 2002 Observatory is closed off in an area situated between the Frederick/Eckstein Streets on the North, Aida Street on the East, St. Georges Road on the South and Innes Street on the West.

The number of crime incidents dropped drastically, residents feel safer, the whole operation is run and financed by the residents themselves.

In April 2003, the Council of the City of Johannesburg finally adopted a new policy for road closures. The policy allows areas to close temporarily provided they meet a number of criteria. There are standards on types of roads to be closed off, specifications for fences and booms and limitations on how to operate the booms.

Our present situation meets these criteria, including the instruction to our guards. According to the policy, guards are to open and close for everyone and are not allowed to stop cars or pedestrians to enquire after identification. This means that we cannot upgrade our security measures to a system of allowing only certain registered cars in the area. We can follow suspicious cars and pedestrians with our patrol car and lead them out of the area if necessary.

The closure needs 80% support from the people affected by it (those living and working in the enclosed area) to be approved and there were steep fees to be paid for the application. The application was submitted in July 2003.

It is now 2 years since we (re)submitted our application for formal approval of the road closure between St. Georges, Innes, Eckstein, Frederick and Aida streets. It is a joint application with the section West of Innes, between St. Georges, Bezuidenhout and Eckstein streets.

Practical information

The ORF has established an enclosure between St. Georges, Innes, Eckstein, Frederick and Aida streets. There are 3 permanently (24 hours/day) guarded entrances: one at Louise Street and one on each side of St. Georges Road (corner Innes Street on the West and corner Aida Street on the East side). The entrance at Kloof Street is a day-time entrance only (6h00 – 18h00).

“Outlawz” Security is guarding our enclosure at the entrances and with a 24-hour armed patrol car. Crime rates have drastically dropped since we closed the area and since “Outlawz” patrols and guards the enclosure. But incidents still happen. To ensure your own safety and that of your neighbours, please contact the “Outlawz” patrol car if you see any suspicious person, car or situation. Better safe than sorry.

The phone numbers of the “Outlawz” patrol car are:

084 645 3292

or

084 645 3293

Support the ORF

Over 90% of the people who participated in the survey for the application in June 2003 indicated to be in favour of the enclosure. Nearly 75% of the residents in the enclosure support it financially.

ORF tries to keep the monthly fees as low as possible – the rate for an average household is R240/month – but is struggling to make ends meet. We manage to pay “Outlawz”, but the maintenance of the booms, let alone extra safety measures cannot be financed from the current income.

So please make sure you pay your contribution every month.

If you have any comments, compliments or complaints, please contact Ingrid Levin (2 Da Gama – 622 7532 or

As residents we continue to work together to keep Observatory a safer suburb for all!