Safety and Security
A Safe Haven
No Worries in Eastford
Knysna stands out among South African towns for its peaceful lifestyle and its safety environment. While everyday life here is comfortable and secure, basic common-sense measures with regard to safety are still recommended, just as in any small town environment in the country.
Knysna’s good safety situation is rooted in a solid community, its stability, and proactive engagement. Whether you’re settling here or visiting, you’re joining a place where daily life is peaceful, predictable, and profoundly secure—particularly when compared to national South African averages.
As safety and peace of mind are key priorities for residents of the Eastford Estates the four Home Owners Associations of have taken extra measures to ensure safety and security for their residents.
Risk Mitigation and Prevention
Security
The Eastford community is protected by a comprehensive network of CCTV cameras with 24×7 armed response. There are electric fences along sections of the perimeter that are exposed and easily accessible, in order to prevent access to the casual intruder. Access control for all vehicle entry points using automated gates which are controlled by various security measures an intercom system with an access app, key pads, remote controls and Licence Plate Recognition cameras which limit access to each estate to the residents and authorized visitors only (methods differ between estates but are managed by the common security team).
There is a strong sense of community awareness and cooperation on the estates. Unlike suburbia, the presence of a stranger on the estates’ streets is viewed as suspicious and that person is invariably question as to his whereabout. If he has no business to be present, he is asked to leave. Each estate has a social media group for internal communication, and security matters often featured on this platform, which increase the community awareness of the surrounding. A watchful and attentive community is the strongest form of security.
📞 Security contact : 044 382 5589
Risk management and Lessons learned
Safety Aspects
Living in harmony with nature requires residents to be aware of the natural risks around us and to take preventive measures and mitigating actions:
- As lesson learned from the Knysna fire of 2017 and its devastating effects on Eastford all four Resident Estates are now linked with a network of signposted emergency routes so that in case of need the gates of all Eastford Estates can be used for evacuation. This applies to fires, medical evacuations, and any other emergencies..
- Fire Fighting training is offered to residents and access to fire fighting installations on the estates, such as fire hydrants, are clearly signposted.
All these are shown on the 👉 Eastford map of hiking trails.
As part of a protected fynbos environment, Eastford is home to a variety of wildlife, this includes those species that may cause conflict with residents and visitors on the Eastford Estates.
Read 👉 here what is to know with regard to safety and wildlife.