Highland Road residents have had enough of crime in the area.
According to John Banks, a resident who has lived on Highland Road for more than 65 years, crime has been getting worse over the years with no assistance from councillor Neuren Pietersen or the police.
Banks believes the cause of the problem is Fotheringham Park situated between Malvern and Kensington, which backs onto the properties in Highland Road. Banks said, “The park has been causing problems for us because the thieves are accessing our homes from the park.
“They climb over the walls and we have had to come up with ways to prevent them from coming into our yards. It has become a regular thing and we now fear for our safety because they take anything in the yard, from a wheelbarrow to a hosepipe.”
Residents have built high walls to prevent thieves from accessing their properties. The park has been not been attended to for years and the overgrowth provides a hiding place for criminals.
“The park has now become a threat to us as residents. The tennis club that used to be utilised has now become a place for vagrants,” added Banks.
He said issues such as faulty streetlights and untidy pavements were not being addressed. “We have been reporting a streetlight that is about to fall off for the past two months and it has not been addressed and it’s a threat to motorists and a danger to us as residents.”
According to him, residents have been trying to get hold of Ward 118 councillor Neuren Pietersen but have been unsuccessful. In response, Pietersen said he was aware of the issues and had been trying to find solutions. “The level of crime in the ward is generally high and is of concern,” he said.
“Residents are encouraged to attend the Cleveland CPF to engage directly with [the police] on issues of security.
“I have engaged with the residents of Orion and Highland roads and it was agreed that an application for a road closure would be pursued.” He added that the park was a problem for Highland Road residents, however, it is part of Ward 65. On the issue of the streetlight, he said he had reported the matter. “The falling streetlight has been reported for the second time, in January,” concluded Pietersen.
Details: Neuren Pietersen 083 326 3693.
Read: Bylaws, headache for councillor
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