Dundee’s central business district feels the impact of vagrancy
Many business owners have expressed fears that the proliferation of vagrants is having a negative impact on business.
The thorny issue of vagrants badgering shoppers in Dundee’s central business district, highlighted in the Courier in September, is continuing to get residents hot under the collar.
A sharp rise in theft and attempted break-ins – experienced last week at the Courier office and a nearby shoe shop on Beaconsfield Street – has been blamed on the vagrants who have hijacked an abandoned house on Boundary Road.
The house that fell into disrepair is across the road from the police station on Gladstone Street but that has not stopped the homeless from bedding down there.
“About 20 or so people are roughing it there. There is no control and they come and go as they please. We have seen an increase in crime since they moved in and now shoppers are hesitant to come down to this part of Beaconsfield Street as they are continually hassled for money,” said one businessman who declined to be named.
The Courier has been told by several shop owners in the Beaconsfield / Gladstone Street area that they are looking for alternative premises ‘away from the proliferation of car guards and loiters’.
“One does not mind helping a person who is in genuine need. But these guys hassle customers. One so called car guard was given an apple by a shopper and he said ‘what’s this I can’t buy food with it?’
“It is clear that they just want money for a quick fix,” said another shop keeper.
Many have turned to social media to voice their concerns of young people injecting themselves – presumably with narcotics – ‘in broad daylight’ in the central Dundee area.
“They even share the needle. I have seen them do it openly just off King Edward Street. There is not even any shame or embarrassment anymore,” said Keith who declined to provide a surname.
Another resident, who preferred to be called Debbie, rather than by her full name, commented:
“In certain areas in town, we don’t even want to shop. The more druggies there are in one area the more it spreads outwards. If these guys do not occupy one house in a street they target it until the owner moves another piece of territory and is then won. Sadly this will continue as welfare is not picking up these guys to help them. These people become empty shadows. If a person cannot get enough from begging petty crime starts and this escalates to tragedy.”
Mac Osman who co-ordinates the NDE safety group and who is involved in various community forums, said that ‘every town is faced with similar problems as central business districts decay’.
“The real solution would be not to give any of these car guards/vagrants money. It sounds harsh but it is a reality. These guys are only there because there is a market. They know people give hence the irritation factor – people give them money hoping they will be left alone, and so it grows.
“We need a united effort to look at housing these homeless folk and maybe get them to work by gardening etc. But it will take a lot of effort.”
What are your thoughts on this thorny issue? Let us know by emailing your thoughts to email dundee.courier@caxton.co.za or whatsapp 071 277 1394’.
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