Fundile Ntuli from Northcliff asked:
We moved to Northcliff just over two years ago. After incidents of theft and house robbery, I have spoken to my neighbours about the possibility of installing booms or other security measures. I have been told that these were previously rejected. What is the process that needs to be followed and the options available to make our neighbourhoods safer?
Nicholas Lorimer, Ward 88 councillor, answered:
You can apply for booms or security checkpoints by submitting an application to the Johannesburg Roads Agency.
The process is quite a lengthy one but you need to comply with all aspects to ensure that anything that is put up is not taken down by the agency.
The applications, which can be found on the agency’s website under ‘policy’, need to include a description of the area, a motivation for why the application is needed, a detailed plan to manage security access restriction, details of who will be affected, evidence that the affected people have been consulted (usually through a petition), a traffic study and any other requirements that the agency sets out.
The booms also need to be paid for by the residents concerned.
Once the application has been submitted and the application fee paid, the City of Johannesburg will examine the application and ask for any objections from the local community or other affected persons.
A committee will then sit and consider the application.
If the application receives no substantial objections and assuming traffic studies and other investigations support it, then the agency will approve it and residents can go ahead and install booms and security.
Do you have a question for a ward councillor?
Councillor’s Corner is a platform for you, our readers, to voice your concerns or questions for ward councillors to respond to. Different, willing, ward councillors will respond to a question each week.
E-mail your burning question to aimeed@caxton.co.za and let’s get the ball rolling.
