Vacant property lures criminal elements, say Glenhill residents
The partially-demolished house is said to have attracted a number of unwanted elements to the area, including drug dealers, criminals and vagrants as well as 'all manner of vermin'.
AN abandoned and dilapidated property on Ryde Place in Glenhills has raised concern among the local community.
According to a local resident, Anthea Large, the partially-demolished house has attracted a number of unwanted elements to the area, including drug dealers, criminals and vagrants as well as ‘all manner of vermin’. Large said construction at the site has been left incomplete for many years.
DA candidate councillor for Ward 110, Pete Graham, who visited the site with the Northglen News last week, said one of the most concerning aspects of the site was the incomplete or lack of boundary fencing along the site, which could facilitate easy access.
He said he had raised the issue with the Glen Anil Ratepayers’ Association, and would also escalate the situation to the health department. Graham said there was also evidence of vermin activity, which he said creates an ‘obvious health risk’ which would need to be addressed.
“The first port of call would be to have City Health inspect the site and to determine who the owner of the property is, as there are many other properties in the general Durban North area of similar concern,” he said.
Once we have established who the owner is, we will be able to visit the site and determine if there are any illegal activities or signs of habitation and take action accordingly,” he added.
In the interim, Graham urged the community to report any suspicious or illegal activities to the police. Leon Audh, spokesman for the Greenwood Park SAPS, said the station has not responded to or received any reports of drug dealing in the area.
