Blanket drive to help the cold and homeless
FAIRLAND – Homelessness levels remain the same but police need your help to clear Market Street Park.
Together with the Northcliff Union Church and Tshepo Centre NGO, Fairland police have been collecting blankets for those desperately in need as the weather continues to get colder.
According to the station’s spokesperson Sergeant Michael Kgatla, the donations kicked off on 2 June and will continue into the cold winter season. “It’s getting colder and winter is approaching, there are a lot of people in the community who would benefit from any kind of warmth and we hope that these blankets will help them.”
Kgatla addressed issues around displaced people living in the policing precinct. He said the number of people living in open spaces and public parks had remained the same over the past few months. He added that many of these people were not homeless.
“A large majority of the people living in these places work in the area as general workers and opt to sleep in these parks to save money. “On weekends they leave and return again when the week starts.”
Kgatla said people staying in Market Street Park in Fairland was an issue. “Although we don’t oppose the community helping out the less fortunate, this has given those living in the park reason to stay. They get food and clothing donations from residents and therefore have very little reason or incentive to leave.”
Fairland police asked those in the community who could donate blankets to get on board. “If you would like to donate blankets, have a blanket donated to you or know of someone in need of a blanket, please visit or contact the station and ask for Sergeant Maggie Mushasha who is heading the initiative.”
Details: Fairland Police Station, 89 Sophia Street, Fairland, 011 478 9413.
