A woman who uses a Bruma intersection notorious for brazen windscreen washers believes authorities are not trying their best to address problems.
The NEWS previously published an article stating that attempts to rid the Marcia Street, Allum Road and Albertina Sisulu Road intersection seems to be failing and motorists are paying the price.
At the time Constable Mpho Mashakane, the Cleveland SAPS communications officer, said police officers continue to conduct regular patrols, however, windscreen washers “spot them and run away”.
Sergeant Marius Boolsen from the JMPD said although officers are attending to the problem, it has worsened over the past month.
He said the windscreen washers operate in full force when JMPD officers leave to direct traffic outside schools and during peak-hour traffic. Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, the spokesperson for the JMPD, said he would convey the request for officers at the intersection during peak times to the relevant people.
After reading the article Ms Donna Brown said she does not believe the police are doing everything they can to address the problem.
“I always experience extreme anxiety when I know I have to pass through this intersection but felt quite relieved when I saw a police vehicle in front of me on June 5. Sadly, the police vehicle went straight through the intersection without paying any attention to the several windscreen washers,” she said.
Ms Brown said she watched as two windscreen washers harassed and shouted at a man in a Toyota Fortuner next to her.
“It seems the windscreen washers are not just targeting women anymore. They have the confidence to bother anyone and everyone at that intersection. I still believe the police are not trying their hardest,” said Ms Brown.
Last year she wrote to the NEWS suggesting a community intervention at the intersection.
Ms Brown said she realised there are not enough police officers to patrol all the problem areas 24/7 but believed creating special positions within the police force where certain individuals are assigned these intersections to patrol could benefit in two ways. It would create safety at the intersection and create jobs.
Interventions by SAPS last year included social crime prevention officers, senior management and others constantly visiting the intersection and even operating from a mobile unit close to the area.
Youth desk and community members also took a stand and highlighted to motorists not to provide money to the windscreen washers.
@BedfordEdenvale
