How can communities apply pressure to protect green open spaces?
A massive multi-agency clean-up of the Jerusalem site in Fairland was a success, but it's only a temporary solution to the filth.
The infamous ‘Jerusalem site’ in Fairland had a massive two-day clean-up which saw mountains of rubbish and litter removed.
The large open land on the corner of Johannes and Still streets has been a problem area for years, but the city and community are committed to cleaning up the open space which is owned by the City.
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The operation required the assistance of entities such as Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM), Pikitup, EMS, City Parks, Johannesburg Property Company, JMPD, private stakeholders, Beagle Watch security and the Community Cleaners.
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Ward 98 councillor Beverly Jacobs said, “Not only does the illegal use of open spaces create criminal havens, health and safety concerns, but also places a huge strain on city resources, both financial and human. These resources are ultimately funded by taxpayers.”
She explained another concern was that the worst affected area plagued by illegal use borders the Moth’s Cottage retirement home. “One of our mandates as a society is to protect the health and safety of our senior citizens and it is a great concern to me that our seniors are exposed to this lawlessness.”
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André Swanepoel, one of the leaders of the Community Cleaners, made up of local residents who spend their weekends cleaning public open spaces, said, “One of the problems within the trolley scavenger community is the criminal element that hides in among them. There is no doubt that many of the trolley scavengers are also involved in crime as we have in the past found copper cables and plastic garden furniture in their bags.
Nearly every time we do a clean-up, we find a range of items that can only come from a crime. We find copper cables casings, burglary or smash-and-grab items like driver’s licence cards, ID cards, keys and more. These are all packed up within a few metres of their shelter or sorting areas.”
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