A VACANT plot on Bullbrand Road in Sarnia has become an eyesore in the area, forcing residents to team up to take back their community.
According to Sharman Collins of the recently-established Glenpark Neighbourhood Watch, the property – owned by Transnet Properties – was ‘home’ to vagrants until last week.
Despite numerous efforts to contact Transnet Properties, residents’ appeal for help had fallen on deaf ears. Residents then decided to take the initiative to clean up the vacant property on their own. Collins said a group of residents teamed up with gardening tools, chainsaws and slashers to clean up the property on Sunday, 28 March. They had only managed to clean half the property on that day but promised to return in two weeks’ time with hopefully more manpower.
“We went in and began to slash and clear up the overgrown trees. The property was previously run as a nursery, but when the tenants left, vagrants took residence in the bush. They would sneak in at night when no one was watching,” said Collins.
Upon clearing the bush, residents found two make-shift wooden shacks, rags and bottles, which confirmed the occupancy. Collins also said that prostitutes in the area would take their ‘clients’ into the property, ‘do their business’ and then leave.
“It’s frustrating. We live in a close-knit community and like to keep it that way. We don’t want criminal elements here. We need more residents to join the neighbourhood watch in keeping our streets safe,” said Collins.
Another gripe that residents have is the notorious Glenpark railway station. Residents have reported that their domestic workers have often complained about robbers hanging out at this area, preying on innocent commuters. The rail line at Glenpark has overgrown weeds on the rail track and overgrown trees on the platform.
“This overgrown bush forms a perfect haven for criminals. There are signs that vagrants have been sleeping outside the railway ticket office, which has been non-operational for some time. If you walk through the area, you’ll find stolen items such as car radios, cellphone covers and more. We need Transnet to take responsibility of this area; after all, they own it,” said Collins.
Transnet Properties was not available for comment at the time of going to press. Collins added that if Transnet Properties did not take responsibility, then they would have to resort to cleaning it themselves.
Collins and another resident, Leighann Hall, said they are planning a community bring-and-braai at the local park on Saturday, 12 March at 2pm. Those interested in attending will get the opportunity to meet their neighbours and find out how they can get involved with the Glenpark Neighbourhood Watch. Contact Sharman Collins on 082 217 6644 or Leighann Hall on 072 140 7919.
