Discussion with authorities to make Eastbourne Road a no-crime-zone looks promising
The Eastbourne Road community is actively seeking solutions beyond relying solely on the JMPD, but still there's no response from JRA.
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla confirmed that their Region A office had not received any reports of reckless driving on Eastbourne Road in Carlswald.
This statement follows the recent article, Shortcut to dusty disaster [Week ending September 6], in which it was reported that residents held a community meeting on August 31 to discuss the road’s condition, the safety risks it posed, reckless driving and criminal activities in the area.
Read more: Deteriorating Eastbourne Road jeopardises safety and well-being of Midrand residents and motorists
The community would like the road to have access control closure to curb traffic and crime, traffic calming measures, and to be tarred.
Residents were sceptical about the regional office’s claim that they were unaware of reckless driving on the road, given that the JMPD attended to a minibus accident last year. The vehicle crashed into a resident’s wall, injuring passengers.
In previous discussions with the JMPD about the accident, Fihla had mentioned to the publication that the department would implement the necessary road safety measures and officers would take appropriate action on reckless driving whenever required.
However, community members remain frustrated by the lack of measures in place and the lack of visibility of law enforcement.
Also read: Carlswald residents are frustrated with the reckless driving on Eastbourne Road
Because of this, the community is actively seeking solutions beyond relying solely on the JMPD.
A series of meetings were held with local security companies, Midrand police, and Ward 112 councillor Lerato Mphefo to discuss these issues.
Resident Karen Kruger said the meetings revolved around the objectives of transforming Eastbourne Road into a no-crime zone by introducing boom gates on both sides of the road and/or surveillance cameras.
“Midrand police’s Warrant Officer Benji Nkatingi confirmed their support for the imposition of security access restrictions,” Kruger added.
“We will be obtaining letters of confirmation from the Nkatingi, councillor Lerato, and directors from Ria Sebetsa Security. It was stated and mutually agreed that while this closure may not eliminate crime, it can complicate potential perpetrators, thereby preventing crime.”
Kruger added they had prepared an Eastbourne Code of Conduct as an integral part of the no-crime zone project.
“It is crucial that every incident, regardless of how trivial it may seem, must be reported to authorities along with a case number; any images or videos related to any crimes should also be collected and shared for profiling purposes.”
The Joburg Roads Agency had not responded to the publication concerning the tarring and traffic calming measures, despite multiple follow-ups since September 2.
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