The MSI application submitted to the city to enclose Melville and curb crime
The group hopes for interim approval when, if granted, will open the process up for public comment by anyone in the city.
The Melville Safe Streets Initiative (MSI) project has submitted its application to the city in a bid to make the suburb safer.
Director and volunteer of the non-profit organisation MSI, Herman de Lange said, “The safer Melville is, everyone will benefit. If people can safely walk around for pleasure, or to get to work, can drive around it and visit the many bustling businesses, the better the entire area will become.
“We want people to come and enjoy Melville as a tourist spot and entertainment hub with improved security and freedoms. This too will make it safer for those vulnerable in our area as criminal elements will not be able to roam freely.”
Melville currently has 36 entry and exit points, making crime reduction in the area incredibly difficult, something the MSI hopes to change.
Isaac Khan is a suburban solutions expert who has worked on hundreds of enclosure applications. He said, “The application for the Eastern section is in following extensive public consultations which garnered enough support from residents to submit plans to the city.”
He says they now await an invitation to a Section 45.2 meeting where the city can pose questions to understand the ramifications of the proposed plan. “This will focus mainly on functional issues. Because we have had such in-depth consultations with the community and beyond, most of the concerns raised have already been dealt with in our submission.”
It is hoped that this meeting will happen within the next month or two.
If successful, interim approval will be granted. “At this time, we will publicly advertise the plan for public scrutiny and comment, which is open to people whether they live in the area or not.”
He says most objections come from an ‘emotional perspective and not a technical one’. “Concerns have been very carefully considered and factored into our submission so I do not see any coming that would be catastrophic.”
He ends by reiterating De Lange’s comments, “We want Melville to be better for all. That includes those who live in neighbouring areas, and we do not wish to cut the suburb off in a negative or exclusionary way.”
To learn more visit www.safestreets@ilovemelville.co.za
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