Troublesome areas in Germiston CBD targeted in crime prevention and by-law blitz

The disturbing and unacceptable trends emerging on certain streets in the Germiston CBD, especially on Meyer and President streets, between Library and Odendaal streets, on Friday and Saturday nights, prompted the police to take action last Friday.

Some business people put braai stands on the pavements, partygoers park their vehicles illegally, drinking and urinating in public is commonplace, there is occasional rowdiness and hogging of these spaces prevents free movement for other road users.

In light of these illegal activities, the MMC for Community Safety, Clr Vivienne Chauke, led a special joint operation comprising officers from the EMPD and the SAPS, between 5.30pm and 9.30pm, to clean up the shambolic situation.

“The clean-up operation was essentially educational as we urged the business people and those enjoying themselves to respect the law and to do the right thing for the safety and comfort of everyone,” Chauke said.

She further stated that operations of this nature will be periodically conducted until peace and order is restored and compliance prevails.

The first phase of the operation commenced at 5.30pm with two roadblocks conducted on President Street, between George and Oosthuizen streets, and the second at the intersection of Linton Jones and Brammer roads.

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The second phase, from 7pm, focused on the area around the Germiston Theatre where a serious contravention of the by-laws occurs.

Stop-and-searches, high visibility patrols, searching patrons in taverns and checking the validity of the licences of the businesses operating in the area was the order of the day.

All those who were not observing the law were removed, fires on the pavements doused, braai stands confiscated and public drinkers had their drinks spilt into drains.