Department of Public Safety MMC Michael Sun honoured an invitation from Malvern Care Team to meet and engage with the community.
The meeting included wards 66 and 65.
The community had the opportunity to share the number of issues that the wards are faced with.
Residents raised concerns about by-law infringements, crime hot spots, illegal taverns, illegal activities in the area, safety and building hijackings.
The community requested more visibility of JMPD in the area and requested that they address by-law issues.
Jule Street is still a challenge as vendors sell their goods on the side of the pavement and pedestrians cannot walk there.
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Residents said this also affects businesses as the front of the shops are blocked for customers.
On the issue of crime hot spots the community said drug dealers are using spaces like parks in the area to run their businesses leaving the children with no space to play.
They requested that the JMPD work together with the Cleveland police to address the matter because they now fear for the safety of the children.
Sun said they are aware of the challenges in the area and that was the reason he wanted to attend the meeting to sit with the community and the councillors of the wards to get a clear understanding of what is happening.
He said they will be conducting operation Buya Mthetho in the area, especially in the evenings to address the issue of illegal taverns and illegal businesses in the area.
“We urge the community to report any illegal activities. We have different departments within the JMPD that deal with different issues.
“Make sure you have all the relevant information when you report it,” said Sun.
Supt Pasha from JMPD said residents have to report to the right department because that will also improve on the response time.
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“We have different departments that deal with specific issues. I urge residents to use these numbers only for important matters that are relevant to that department,” said Pasha.
Residents were presented with the below information to report concerns:
• Billboards – Supt Mbabuela, 061 486 2177.
• Illegal structures – Supt Mthembu, 061 495 5383.
• Building hijackings – Adv Trevor, 079 500 5858.
• Illegal street trading : Supt Naidoo, 083 484 7548
• Illegal water connection – Supt Mbhalati, 061 494 1823.
