A VERY successful meeting was held recently with officials from Parks and Recreation and Metro Police regarding what ward councillor, Martin Meyer, states is a very concerning security situation at Burman Bush in Morningside.
According to Meyer, there has been a massive increase in crime at the reserve, where criminals were targeting couples who are braaing or hiking.
“Parks have only two rangers available to patrol the reserve, which is very large, and they are not always available. Criminals are well aware of this situation and use this as an opportunity to attack and rob people using the facilities at the park,” said Meyer.
He said people living in buildings above the reserve had reported an increase in petty crime, with criminals escaping by running into the reserve.
Meyer said drug dealers operating in Trematon Drive also hid their stash in the fence of the park.
Meyer said the Baden Powell Scout camp in the reserve had been completely destroyed, and although the Scouts had been given finance from Germany, the funds weren’t being released, which has left the Scouts in a quandary.
“The camp is completely gone. The roof, bricks and door have been stolen – only the foundations remain. The Scouts don’t have the finances to fix this, and the funds from Germany won’t be available as it will be thought that the Scouts can’t even look after what they already have. It is so sad, as they do such good work with the youth,” he said.
Meyer said vagrancy was a big problem, and he was concerned about a land invasion as people had been seen cutting down trees in the reserve.
“I am worried as this is prime land for land invasions, and after 72 hours, the Squatters Rights Act comes into play and we will have a problem,” he said.
He said Burman Bush plays an important part in the lives of many residents, and should be a safe haven for residents who want to enjoy the great outdoors in the city.
The park also has the potential to be a tourism hotspot but it is underutilised. Unfortunately, with the security situation being so bad, people avoid the park, – said Meyer.
A security plan was drawn up at the meeting last week, and Meyer said that this would go some way to addressing the deteriorating situation.
“I cannot disclose the details of this plan, but I will continue to work closely with all role-players and will give the public feedback once the plans have been initiated,” he said.
Meyer said raids would target vagrants and he would be exploring, through council, the option of increasing the numbers of rangers in the park He is hoping the Mounted Police Unit will be available to patrol the reserve.
“I will also be reporting this issue to the province to get help,” he said.
