JCP considering options to bring about safety in park

In recent weeks residents raised concern about the lack of safety in the park and questioned what the entity is doing to make sure visitors are safe. Crimes committed in the park include robberies and muggings.
Some suggestions made by members of the public included charging an entrance fee, hiring 24-hour security and closing several entrances permanently.
Ms Jenny Moodley, spokesperson for JCP, said none of its parks have an entrance fee. We have to consider the current bylaws, how we would take the fees and accountability. Open spaces like Rhodes Park belong to the public. We could consider this option but would have to hold public participation meetings and plan how and who would collect the fees, she said.
Ms Lornette Joseph, the chairperson of the I Love Kensington Association (Ilka), said the association has also been trying to come up with solutions to address the crime in the park.
We are aware of the crimes in the park. Much as I would like JCP to charge an entrance fee, I have concerns with this. Who will take the money from visitors? Council does not have the manpower for this. The park gets extremely busy during holidays and it will be difficult to man the entrances, she said.
Ms Joseph said the park was safer when a security company stationed some of its members close to the park to deter criminals.
This was a while ago and it did not last long because other security companies complained about the advertising. The security guards had to leave, she said.
Ms Moodley said the JCP is re-looking at this option.
If we were to charge an entrance fee then maybe this could have covered the cost of 24-hour security. However, we also have to consider people who cannot afford to pay. Everyone needs recreational facilities. If we were to implement 24-hour security in Rhodes Park it would have to be an option for all our parks. We do not have the capacity and resources for all parks.
This is where businesses and security companies can help. Businesses can maybe contribute towards the facility which is in their area. Maybe security companies can come forward and offer their services as well. There are several entrances to the park. Maybe more than one security company can station guards close to these entrances, said Ms Moodley.
Ms Joseph said another option is to lock all gates at night and open them in the morning. One person cannot do this alone. We came up with an idea a while ago where residents living close by and interested in security in the park, could open and close the gates. We would need several people because there are many gates, she said. Ms Joseph also said JCP needs to secure the park to prevent vagrants walking in and sleeping where they wish. She said the historical gates at Rhodes Park which were stolen earlier this year have still not been replaced.
Ms Moodley said, asking the community to help lock and open the gates is an option. She also said JCP contractors were given the go-ahead to install new gates. It was anticipated that the gates would be replaced this week.
JCP will continue to patrol the park on a regular basis. The entity will also communicate with SAPS and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department to assist in patrolling the park.
Ms Joseph urged Kensington residents to join Ilka.
E-mail her on chair@kensington.org.za to find out how you can help bring about safety in Rhodes Park.