Forum plans anti-prostitution picket
After just a month, the Bulwer Safety Forum has organised a picket against prostitution in the Glenwood and Umbilo area which has become a playground from prostitutes.
THE new Bulwer Community Safety Forum committee, which was elected last month, started on a bold note with an anti-prostitution picket on Saturday, 26 October at 10am on various street corners in Glenwood.
Previously known as Area 1 Umbilo/Glenwood CPF, the committee includes community members who have been involved in community policing for many years: Heather Rorick (chairperson), Jeni Wells (vice-chairperson), Marie-Louise Stehouwer (secretary), Dawn Rabie (treasurer/PRO), Co-opted members: Alison Martin; Ian Webster; Jody Deysel.
The area covered by the Forum includes King Dinuzulu Road (Berea) to Alan Paton Road (McDonald) and South Ridge to Sydney Roads.
“We are committed to fighting crime, grime, vagrancy and the scourge of prostitution in our area. We also have monthly community meetings and encourage residents living in our area to attend,” said Heather Rorick.
“Our dedicated volunteer patrollers give up their time to patrol our area on foot and by car, so come and join our patrols. We would like to thank SA Fasteners, who are in the process of supplying us with printed reflective jackets. Somerset Guesthouse has offered a monthly contribution to the BCSF and challenges all guest houses in the area to help. We are hoping to get sponsorship from business and residents to cover costs, which we as volunteers cover ourselves,” she said.
A contentious issue for the community is the growing scourge of prostitution in the leafy suburb. According to Louise Stehouwer, before the 2010 soccer world cup Glenwood was targeted as a red light district for international travellers. “This was hard fought by business and residents, but the stigma and after effects remain. We have an influx of girls walking our streets which encourage drug dealing and crime in our area. The prostitutes do their ablutions in doorways and driveways, leaving used condoms and litter behind,” she said.
Stehouwer added that the prostitutes in the area had become more aggressive in recent months. “They threaten residents and expose themselves, day and night, doing their business in full view of passing children who are exposed to this on a daily basis. Businesses are leaving saying their customers are tired of being propositioned by prostitutes, they would rather go elsewhere.”
The Bulwer Safety Forum is encouraging residents and community members who would like to be part of the picket to contact them to get involved.
“We know some feel disheartened, but you can help us by fighting for Glenwood, let’s protect our beautiful town and work together by taking Glenwood back from the urban decay that is slowly setting in. We are passionate, return the favour by getting involved,” said Stehhouwer.
Contact Heather Rorick on 074 203 2792 or Louise Stehouwer on 083 256 1254 or email: bulwercommunity@gmail.com for more information.
