In the power of community collaboration, the Market Street Park security project has reached its successful completion, marking a significant step towards enhancing safety and revitalising the public space.
Located at the intersection of Market Street and Smit Street, the park has faced increasing safety and security challenges in recent years.
With a growing number of homeless individuals using the area as a shelter and reports of drug dealing, violence, and escalating crime, the park had become a location that many residents avoided, negatively impacting the surrounding community and property values.
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Efforts to maintain the park through regular cleanup operations involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), Community Policing Forum (CPF), City Parks, and local community cleaners proved insufficient in addressing the pressing concerns.
In 2019, Laerskool Fairland took the initiative to adopt the park, negotiating an agreement with Johannesburg City Parks to allow Beagle Watch Armed Response to secure the area during the night, in accordance with by-law regulations that permit the park to be closed at sunset.
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Fast forward to 2023, and the project was revived with a renewed commitment to restore safety and cleanliness to the park. Beagle Watch MD André Aiton spearheaded the initiative, emphasizing its importance for the community and particularly for the children attending nearby schools.
“It was an ambitious project, as we needed to raise in excess of R700 000 to fence the park for the benefit of the community,” Aiton explained. “Thanks to the incredible support from local businesses, organisations, and the community at large, we are nearing completion.”
The security enhancements include a robust Clearvu fence spanning over 2 200 meters, featuring three pedestrian gates and two vehicle entrance gates.
As of August 2024, the fence has been installed up to the old Fairland Dump Site, with further discussions planned with local authorities regarding the future of that area.
In addition to the fencing, Beagle Watch and the Northcliff Rotary Club are collaborating to plant ten trees in the park, promoting environmental responsibility and beautifying the space for community enjoyment.
Aiton expressed gratitude for the myriad of contributors who made the project possible, stating, “the project would not have come to fruition without the support of the Community Cleaners, Fairland CPF, PA’s in Aksie, Dick’s Sweets, MDCS Skills Development, Smit Street Spar, Zotos, Sasol garage, Total garage, and all our generous community members.”
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