Vagrants impact on business, residents

A business owner, not wanting his name published, said he is one of several people intimidated and threatened by brazen vagrants.
Vagrants are sleeping on my veranda. There have been instances where vagrants defecated on the veranda. Customers walk into the shop through the veranda. I have had to clean the place up and it as too disgusting for words. They threaten us and some business owners and customers are forced to walk over them. Some business owners are afraid to tell them to move because they could retaliate. I sometimes have to work late and I have to think twice. My assumption was that they could be arrested for trespassing, he said.
The business owner said he called Cleveland SAPS and officers responded. They chased them away and I am happy about that. I know they are trying but these people return. I understand the implications if they are arrested but there must be a way we can address this problem, he said.
The business owner said he understands that it is a socio economic problem but the negative effect the vagrants have on the public is worrying.
We do not know what the law says about trespassing and how the problem can be tackled but maybe someone can help us understand where our rights start and end. We need to, as the community, work together with SAPS to find a solution, said the man.
Captain Peter Ramodisa, from Cleveland SAPS, said he is aware of the problems experienced by members of the public. He said officers are trying to find a solution.
Ms Lornette Joseph, I Love Kensington Association (Ilka) chairperson, also raised concern about the number of homeless people and beggars in the suburb.
I am sympathetic to these people, however, the impact to residents and business owners are a concern. I urge people not to support the homeless and beggars. The more we support them, the more problems we will have. If we do not support them they will leave. I know it is difficult to avoid them but they are posing a health risk and safety risk. A few weeks ago I saw a woman at the corner of Allum Road and Langermann Drive, begging. She had a child with her. The child fell in the road and was almost killed. What if a motorist drove over this child? We need more action from SAPS and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), she said.
At the time of this incident, there were JMPD officers at the slipway. They should have removed the woman from the intersection because of the danger she was in and putting others in, she said.
Ms Joseph highlighted her concerns at last weeks Cleveland Community Police Forum (CCPF) meeting.
When members asked why these people are not taken to places of safety, Ms Joseph said they refuse to stay at these places. They get food and money on the street and can do as they please, so they will not go to a place of safety. We have to come up with other solutions, she said.
Sergeant Marius Boolsen, from JMPD said they are trying their best to address the problem.
Queen Street is one of the hotspots. With it being winter, these people are looking for warmer places to stay. We understand businesses are affected and are trying our best. Arresting and detaining them is a complicated situation but we can try to come up with a permanent solution. We can chase them away. People who beg on street corners while their children are with them are of huge concern because of the danger posed. If a JMPD officer is close to incidents like this they have to address it. If they are conducting a stop and search operation or roadblock they have to clean up the area first, which means, in this case, they should have addressed the situation with the woman. I urge people to take down the officers details and the vehicle details and report them,” he said.
Sgt Boolsen said there were complaints about vagrants in several parts of Kensington and Bruma. Officers try to visit these areas as much as they can to address problems.