Keeping Dainfern Safe

Living in a secure residential estate has many benefits and Dainfern, in particular, has much to offer families in the way of sports clubs, cultural activities and the clubhouse that serves as a gathering place for the community. However, no security estate functions in isolation as invariably one has to venture out of the safe environment to run errands take the kids to school and extracurricular activities, go to work and do the shopping.

When it comes to using Broadacres Drive, most of us are oblivious to the work performed to keep our external environment clean and safe – we see that the streets are clean, that there are security vehicles around and that the traffic lights are actually working – these aspects are easily taken for granted.  But it’s really thanks to the collective efforts of the Dainfern Community Association that we have these ‘perks” in a city that struggles to supply even the basic services to most suburbs.

The Dainfern Community Association (DCA) is a voluntary organisation that has been operating for over a decade.  Its key functions cover security, ongoing cleaning and maintenance of Broadacres Drive and generally representing the interests of residents who rely on the road for access to their estates.

“We have an incredibly low crime rate thanks to the 24-hour surveillance and the interaction amongst the estates” comments the DCA Chairman, Dave Weyers.

Each member estate pays a contribution to the DCA to fund the ongoing security. Cleaning and maintenance work. Over and above their regular functions, the DCA has also achieved much of the years by putting pressure on the JRA (Johannesburg Roads Agency) and the City of Johannesburg, when necessary, to achieve certain end results that have benefitted all the estates and residents who use the roads.

PAST ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE:

• Helping Kopenelo object to and ultimately prevent the creation a dump site nearby, that was proposed by the City of Johannesburg;
• Paving along some sections of Broadacres Drive;
• Engaging in extensive negotiations during the road upgrade that resulted in an increase in the width of William Nicol Drive from 4 to 6 traffic lanes;
• The provision of points men and women at the intersection of Broadacres Drive and William Nicol Drive during the road upgrade;
• Connecting the traffic lights at the entrance to Dainfern Square and William Nicol intersections to generator power so that there is minimal disruption during power outages;
• Ensuring that street lights, traffic signs and directional signs were put up and that the sidewalks were paved;
• Fixing pot holes and re-painting road markings using independent sub-contractors.

“There are lots of exciting future projects under discussion, including the possibility of installing CCTV cameras down Broadacres Drive, cats’ eyes on the road, planting trees and generally improving the aesthetics of the precinct”

So, when you see the security and medical emergency vehicles stationed on the grass verge opposite Dainfern Square, remember that the DCA is looking after you and your family.  There is even a “follow-me” service laid on if you feel vulnerable or if you sense that criminals may have followed you back from the airport or the shops.