DURBAN North residents have expressed a growing concern over the community park on the corner of Romsey Drive and High Ridge Road. An alleged gang of vagrants has reportedly been spotted loitering, drinking, urinating and littering in the otherwise serene public facility.
Concerns regarding community safety and security have also been raised. This is according to Marco Justino, who has been a resident in the area for six years.
“In the last six months, the situation has elevated to the extreme. They can be seen in the park from 6am to 8pm. Throughout the day they walk back and forth between the bottle store to buy beer and get drunk in the park, after which they get loud and disruptive,” he said. Our other concern is, where are they getting the money to buy the alcohol? Which has led us to fear there are other nefarious activities going on in the park,” he said.
The irate resident said he has seen the vagrants use ‘bottleneck beer bottles’ to smoke substances.
What’s more, Justino said he has also spotted some of the vagrants bringing various electronic equipment, such as computer screens and washing machines, to the park, where they tear them apart, take the items they want to sell as scrap metal and then leave the rest.
Attempts to alleviate the issue:
“Calling the police has had very little effect. Sometimes police will show up chase them from the scene, but before the smoke from the police van has even evaporated they are back in the park,” he said.
According to Justino they have always experienced aggression from the vagrants whenever they have approached them.
“We’ve tried asking them to clear their mess or to reduce the noise but immediately they become aggressive and simply shout at us to leave. Their arrogance and lack of fear has even prompted some of them to approach my wife’s car as she has pulled up the driveway. They tap on the window and then ask her for a glass of water. We fear leaving our homes as they have a clear and constant vision of our movements,” he added.
Councillor Shaun Ryley said it was an ongoing issue and a valid concern as he has received a number of complaints from residents in the last while about this park in particular and other parks near bottle stores.
“I have raised the issue among senior Parks department officials at a regional meeting and will continue to do so. The CPF has also been made aware of the problem and will be ensuring that the area is monitored,” he said.
According to Ryley the biggest issue is that for the most part is that the mere use of a public space is not illegal, however there are by-laws which prohibit certain behaviour being exhibited by many of these individuals. As such the authorities (particularly Metro Police) must enforce the law.
“The public is urged to continually report these transgressions and insist that they be acted on. If the public is able to clearly photograph or record any illegal activities they should submit this to the authorities. It can only strengthen the cause for concern and ensure that further action be taken,” he said.
Ryley added that if any member of the public is threatened or harassed they should report this in writing to SAPS as this can then be followed up at CPF meetings which the public are also able and encouraged to attend.
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