Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro called on residents of Sunnyridge to unite to eradicate crime and drug use at Howe Circle.
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The Sunnyridge business district has caught the watchful eyes of Guerreiro and a few business operators, but not for the right reasons.
Guerreiro said there were several complaints from the residents about public drinking, drug addicts and homeless people sleeping in the circle.
He said he was called to attend a case of a 14-year-old girl under the influence of drugs.
“From what was picked up during a conversation, it was determined that she is a codeine addict. She could be raped.
“Parents are failing their children at this point,” said Guerreiro.
“We are engaging with the SAPS to assist us in these matters.
“People drink in public and sometimes occupy the parking space,” he said, adding that people also sell and use drugs in the circle.
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“This chases the people and businesses away.
“The businesses here feel like their customers are going to decline. Who would want to support a circle that does not feel safe?” asked Guerreiro.
“Codeine syrup is commonly mixed with soft drinks and often consumed by students or young people. Codeine is a painkiller but also an addictive opioid. Taken in excess, it can cause schizophrenia and organ failure.”
He said the community planted plants and flowers during last year’s Arbor Week, but they have since been stolen.
“We have petty crimes happening in the area, and a few shops have experienced incidents here and there.
“The challenge is that people buy liquor and sit around the circle to drink. They urinate around the circle, yet public urination is a crime.
“Around the circle itself, there are human faeces in the bushes. Who is going to clean that?” he asked.
“The EMPD has helped us from time to time. Last year, we found illegal cigarettes, drugs and other things, but they can only assist in their jurisdiction,” said Guerreiro.
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“We cleaned the circle, but a few days later the area looked the same.
“We have people wandering around the circle, pretending to be car guards. We do not have legal car guards in the circle.
“There have been cases of harassment reported to me because when you do not tip them, they get aggressive.”
Guerreiro adds that homeless people must visit the Primrose SAPS because it has its designated area to shelter them while they look for placement in shelters.
“We get needles in the circle, highlighting that people use them for drugs. Our best guess is that the homeless use these needles,” said Guerreiro.
“As a result of the ongoing issues, we are looking to do something about the circle or maybe turn it into a parking lot and create an area with no space to sit. There are food outlets in the circle, but it smells of urine and human faeces,” lamented Guerreiro.
Local business operator Mark Spieth said he used to pay someone to clean the circle but stopped because the problems persists.
“EMPD has come several times to issue warnings and fines vagrants,” said Spieth.
“The circle used to be a water feature. People used to swim here, and I hold memories of my childhood here. People would throw money here for good luck, and we would pick it.”
He said he used to let people use his toilet but doesn’t anymore because they steal his tapes.
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“When people come and there is no space to sit around there, they will buy and leave,” said Spieth.
