The wheels were put in motion on Saturday to get the Brakpan CBD into a state all residents could be proud of.
Police and community stakeholders, including the EMPD, councillors, Ekurhuleni waste department, security companies, AfriForum, CPF, Brakpan Town Committee, representatives from local businesses and ordinary members of the public joined forces for a clean-up and awareness campaign.
This initiative was previously discussed at a meeting featured in the Herald’s February 18 edition, ‘Town decay fuels crime’.
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During this meeting, Brakpan SAPS station commander Brig Fredl Jonck stated the town’s unkempt condition correlates with crime and highlighted the importance of the community working together to resolve this.
Reference was made to the ‘broken window theory’, which is visible signs of crime and disorder, such as vandalised buildings and broken windows, create an environment that further encourages criminal activity.
The aim of the day was not only to clean up the CBD, with attention mostly paid to problem areas along Prince George Avenue and Voortrekker Road, but to also hand out notices to business owners and residents in the CBD to ensure their properties, pavements and entrances are free of litter and rubbish.
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Those who received notices were also warned that the EMPD will in future be strictly enforcing by-laws pertaining to this.
Pamphlets about gender-based violence, drug and alcohol abuse and road safety were also distributed.
Campaign participants gathered in the parking lot of the Charl Baard Stadium at 09:00 and were then divided into groups. These groups then set out with refuse bags, brooms and other supplies to get to work.
In addition to the town’s two main streets, the eyesore along Queen Avenue behind Jet Stores was also attended to.
“The day was fruitful and successful. A follow-up clean-up will follow in due course,” said Capt Pearl van Staad, spokesperson of the Brakpan SAPS.
Jonck, who did not shy away from rolling up his sleeves, thanked everyone who participated and urged the community or anyone willing to bring change to Brakpan to join in the fight for a clean and crime-free Brakpan.
