Green Point & Oranje-Kloof City Improvement District (GP/OKCID)

Green Point & Oranje-Kloof City Improvement District (GP/OKCID) – Organisation

Description

The GP/OKCID works together with SAPS and the City of Cape Town to make Green Point and Oranje-Kloof two of the most sought after suburbs to live, work and play – by providing extra security, cleaning and constantly improving the area by planting trees, repaving and promoting local businesses.

Mission:

To be the City of Cape Town’s leading supplementary service provider for nurturing a safe, clean, attractive and accessible business and residential environment to live, work, and play.

How GP/OKCID came about:

In accordance with the City of Cape Town’s by-law, a CID (City Improvement District) is an area where ratepayers agree to pay a levy for supplementary services. The levy is based on property valuations. These areas are now officially referred to as an SRA (Special Rating Area).

The CID does not in any way replace local authority services. Instead, by working closely with all role players, they provide supplementary assistance in terms of security, cleansing, social intervention, upgrading and improving public spaces.

The GP/OKCID look to the broken windows theory as inspiration for their work. This theory states that visible signs of crime, anti-social behaviour and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes. It suggests that policing methods that target minor crimes such as vandalism, public drinking and fare evasion help to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness, thereby preventing serious crimes. Hence the theory founders’ statement: “if you take care of the little things, then you can prevent a lot of the big things.” Working with this concept in mind, the GP/OKCID team and partners have worked passionately over the years, resulting in an area that’s grown in leaps and bounds since the GP/OKCID’s inception in 2001.

What GP/OKCID business owners are saying:

“From a property owner’s point of view, the GP/OKCID has made our area safer with an increased presence of visible security. They’ve also allowed tourists to move more freely through better protection from unsavoury elements.” – Brett Shaw, owner of Barefoot Capital

“I’ve definitely noticed more patrols in the area, and so we feel more of a security presence throughout the day and at night. That makes the world of a difference to the safety within the area.” – Kim Whitaker, owner of Once in Cape Town

“The presence of the GP/OKCID is heavily felt in the area. From the perspective of the tourism industry, their presence helps make guests feel safe, secure, and aware of their surroundings. They can walk out of their guest house and it feels clean and beautiful.” – Deon de Wet, owner of Village n Life Realty

“The Oranje-Kloof area is, literally and figuratively, paving the way forward. Apart from the safety factor, the GP/OKCID has really focused on beautifying the area - I believe they both feed off one another.” – Chris Boje, owner of Van Hunks

To find out more about us watch this video, read about the progress we have made, and read about our long-term solution to homelessness.

Contact us:

Marketing & PR Account Manager: Jessica Pitman
072 219 8448
jessica@theyellowdoor.co.za 

GP/OKCID Chief Executive: Marc Truss
marc@gpokcid.co.za

OKCID Manager: Mike Reeler
082 411 7778
mike@gpokcid.co.za 

GP/OKCID Manager: Marius Swanepoel
082 922 1832
marius@gpokcid.co.za