Urgent intervention needed at Glenwood park

THE shocking and hazardous condition of the streets surrounding Davenport Avenue Park was brought to the attention of police and city officials by Umbilo Community Police Forum (CPF) chair, Heather Roos, but to date she has received no response to her corespondence.

ALSO READ: City’s neglect turns Umbilo business district into cesspool of crime and grime

Residents called on Roos to request Berea Mail meet them on site last week, where Roos, accompanied by two security officers, was horrified by what she encountered.

“All I can say is this is shocking, this is a health hazard. This area is disgusting and smells too terrible from not only the rubbish, but human faeces, used condoms and more. Crime wise, this park and area has become home to a large group of homeless people, many doing whoonga. When it rains they all congregate under cover by Rama Court Garages and end up leaving a huge mess. An abandoned car which has been parked outside the garages for months, is being used by the homeless to have sex in and sleep in, much to the dismay of residents in Rama Court,” she said.

In her correspondence with the municipality, Metro Police, SAPS and ward councillor on 6 June, Roos highlighted these issues which she explained, had become a huge concern and problem for residents and businesses in the area.

A business owner spoke to Berea Mail on site on Monday, saying she had witnessed a well-dressed man from one of the nearby businesses walk across to the park, and dump a box of rubble and rubbish. She described it as a case of ‘broken window syndrome’ as the park was a mess.

Blue Security officer Mdu Mqadi said the rubbish lying in the road was shocking making it difficult to patrol the streets as they were blocked by heaps of rubbish.

He and Mzansi Fire and Security officer, Leon Madlala were shocked by the mess.

“These concerns have been raised over the years, many from myself as the Bulwer Safety and Urban Regeneration Forum Chairperson, and of late, also as the Umbilo executive CPF chairperson. What started as a few bags being dumped here, has escalated and residents and businesses are suffering,” said Roos.

She said the urgent and pressing issues which residents and businesses directly surrounding the park were forced to deal with 24/7 included the increasing number of vagrants and prostitutes who had moved into the park, and the direct escalation of rubbish which has attracted rats, cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes and other vermin.

“Now with us all living with the Coronavirus around us, this is a huge health risk to these residents in this area, which has become a huge rubbish dump and outside ablution area. Crime has escalated concerningly in this area, many homes and businesses having reported an increase in fence hoppers and break ins, while illegal activties such as prostitution and the use and sale of drugs in the park have also increased,” said Roos

.She said the vacant and derelict house owned by eThekwini Municipality, which has stood empty for well over 10 years and has a full time security guard has also become a huge problem.

“Vagrants have stripped this house over the years and also sleep in this property. On behalf of the residents that are affected by these issues I request that all departments I have contacted regarding the issues raised, look into this park and surrounding area as a priority and matter of urgency. I also appeal to SAPS and Metro Police to consistently look into the problem of the vagrants living in this area, selling drugs, smoking drugs, prostitution, and crime. Residents are angry and fearful and are begging the powers that be to please assist them,” she said.

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